A City of Tonawanda tradition, the Turkey Trot, took place for fifth-graders Nov. 4. Mullen Elementary and Riverview Elementary will hold their Turkey Trots on Nov. 10. (Photos by Larry Austin/TCSD Community Relations Coordinator)
A 40-year tradition continued Friday, Nov. 4, with the running of the Tonawanda Turkey Trot for fifth-graders in the Tonawanda City School District.
What was not traditional was beautiful weather on race day. According to race director Jeff Frey, the Tonawanda Turkey Trot "never had weather like this before ever."
Approximately 110 runners -- nearly all of the students in the fifth grade, Frey said -- took the start for the mile-long race, and they enjoyed pleasant temperatures both on the day of the race and in their training classes.
"We had the best two weeks of training ever," said Frey, the longtime race director and gym teacher. "I've never had one like this where we were outside almost every day training for the last two weeks."
Frey said that leading up to the trot the students walked the whole route one day, practiced the start, practiced running through the bus loop at the Fletcher Street dropoff, and finished with entering Clint Small Stadium through the tunnel and circling the track for 10-minute runs.
"And normally, I might get outside twice," Frey said. "It's cold, it's muddy. This track and the nice weather were like heaven. I was able to do my plan perfectly. ... Even on those days it was foggy, we'd come out. The track would be a little damp, but it didn't stop us from going because it was warm out. It was awesome. I wish it could be like that every year."
Frey thanked the police, who made way for clear, safe streets for runners; the teachers and staff, who line the race route; the PTSA for awards and water bottles; the TCSD Buildings and Grounds Department, who set up the cones and banners on the course.
"We did have a fun run, we all got some exercise, but it also was a competition," Frey said before presenting awards to the top finishers. Each runner among the top 10 boys and girls received a certificate, with the top five receiving a T-shirt as well. The PTSA provided a gift card from Tops for the fastest trotters.
"It doesn't matter if you didn't finish in the top 10 or not. If you made it through a mile and you showed a little perseverance, that's all we're looking for," Frey said.
Frey ended the assembly with advice for all Turkey Trotters, no matter how old, on the benefits of an active life.
"Remember," Frey told the Turkey Trotters, "don't stop training. Don't stop going for jogs or walks. You can keep doing it, not just for a Turkey Trot, but because it's a healthy thing to do."
Top Finishers
Frey presented the Extra Effort Award to Jayson Vishion and Dominic Simeone.
Boys
1. Colden Ulmer
2. James Allard
3. Matthew Drees
4. Brayden Smyth
5. Dylan Schneider
6. Ali Williams
7. Jaxon Trala
8. Brady Taylor
9. Liam Henry
10. Justin Tadusz
Girls
1. Chloe Janowsky
2. Bridgette Gross
3. Tessa Loebel
4. Nevaeh Augustine
5. Harmony Davidson
6. Raylea Connolly
7. Lilly Colwell
8. Aubree Allard
9. Taryn Butcher
10. Brooke Meldrum
The top two girls runners, Chloe Janowsky, left, and Bridgette Gross, enter Clint Small Stadium and head for the tunnel to the track.
