The Tuscarawas County YMCA will host its 17th-annual Turkey Trot 5k race on Thanksgiving Day. (Photo by Stacey Carmany, Tusco TV)

Dover, Ohio - The Tuscarawas County YMCA is inviting the community to get active before enjoying their Thanksgiving Feast.  

The 17th-annual Turkey Trot 5k begins at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day at the Tuscarawas County YMCA in Dover with same-day registration from 7 to 8:30.

Tuscarawas County YMCA Marketing Director Kathleen Johnson says they expect about a thousand people to take part in the festive race that's part of the Ohio Challenge Series.

“You have people that dress up, and we are actually having a merchandise area this year that has some turkey tutus that are handmade by one of our staff people and some little felt turkey ties and headbands, and we’ve got some other t-shirts and stuff that we’ll be selling that day and during packet pickup,” she says.

Johnson says the race is family friendly and appropriate for runners of all ages.

“It’s done on a really flat course so you get some of the newer runners. You get some of the runners that have been with us every year that we’ve been doing the Turkey Trot and they come back and use it as a real challenge for themselves,” she says.

Johnson says the event is one that has been going on for years and has become a tradition for many families.  

“Sometimes I think moms just get everybody out of the house so they can have the house to themselves and cook and get their stuff ready so they send their families out to run the Turkey Trot,” she says. “It becomes one of those things that becomes a tradition in a lot of families. We’ve watched families grow over the years.”

Johnson says all money raised from the event will go toward the Y’s annual campaign and be used to help area children and families become Y members.  

“The proceeds are going to help young kids in single-parent families and families that are struggling and want to have a safe place to just kind of really learn and grow and thrive and be with their family,” she says.

The entry fee is $20 for children 14 and under and $35 for adults and teens ages 15 and over, and participants can also register in advance for a discounted rate.

To register, visit tuscymca.org or stop by the Y during regular business hours or during their Fitness Expo on November 1st from 4 to 7:30 p.m. 

STACEY CARMANY, TUSCO TV