Buffalo Turkey Trot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Buffalo Turkey Trot |
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| Date | Thanksgiving Day |
| Location | Buffalo, New York, United States |
| Event type | Road |
| Distance | 5 miles (8 kilometers (5.0 mi) certified) |
| Primary sponsor | YMCA |
| Established | November 26, 1896 |
| Participants | over 14,000 (in 2018) |
The Buffalo Turkey Trot is a super fun running event held every year in Buffalo, New York. It takes place on Thanksgiving Day. This race is about 5 miles (or 8 kilometers) long. It's a special event because it helps raise money for the local YMCA, which is a community organization. The race runs along Delaware Avenue in Buffalo.
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A Long History of Running
The Buffalo Turkey Trot is very old! It started way back in 1896. People say it's the oldest race in North America that has run every single year without stopping. That means it kept going even during big events like World War I, the 1918 flu pandemic, World War II, and the recent coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
There are other old races too. The Around the Bay Road Race in Canada started in 1894. But it had to stop for some years, like during World War I. The Bemis Forslund Pie Race, which began in 1891, also had a break in 1936. So, the Buffalo Turkey Trot holds the record for running continuously for the longest time. It's even a few months older than the famous Boston Marathon, which began in April 1897.
Growing Popularity
This race has become much more popular over the years. In 1981, only about 1,000 people ran. By 1986, that number had doubled to 2,000 runners!
In 2010, a huge crowd of 12,500 runners joined. That was the most the YMCA could allow at the time. So, they made room for even more people. In 2011, 13,200 runners participated, and it filled up fast. By 2012, the race had 14,000 runners, and it was full more than a week before Thanksgiving!
The 2020 Race During the Pandemic
In 2020, because of the coronavirus pandemic, things were a bit different. Only 125 runners could join the actual race in person. This helped keep everyone safe and allowed for social distancing. But don't worry, many more people still participated! The YMCA also created a "virtual race." This meant other runners could choose their own 8-kilometer path anywhere they wanted during Thanksgiving weekend. This way, the race could still keep its amazing streak of running every year.
More Than Just a Race
The Buffalo Turkey Trot is a mix of serious competition and a fun event. Many people run to win, but others just want to have a good time. You'll often see runners wearing funny and unusual costumes! Imagine seeing people dressed as turkeys, or in hockey uniforms, or even as Chewbacca from Star Wars! Some people even wear wedding clothes while running.
There's a unique tradition too. Former leaders from Camp Pathfinder have carried large 16-foot wooden canoes for the entire race! It's quite a sight.
The entry fee for the race changes each year. For example, in 2021, it cost between $37 and $42, depending on when you signed up.
See also
- World's Largest Disco
- Dallas Turkey Trot, another popular Thanksgiving race
