Delaware YMCA Turkey Trot: Some Things Old, Some Things New

By Thomas Tarapacki

The YMCA Turkey Trot is the oldest, continually running road race in North America, but that doesn't stop event organizers from trying a few new things. The 114th YMCA Turkey Trot, which will be held on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26, beginning at 9AM, will have some new wrinkles designed to help the event continue to evolve and grow.

The Turkey Trot begins at Delaware Avenue and Shoreham and basically follows Delaware into downtown, ending at the Buffalo Convention Center.  The distance is 8k, or 4.97 miles.

Race Director Tom Donnelly outlined some of the changes this year. To begin with, long sleeve t-shirts will replace the short sleeve shirts that had been given to runners in recent years. "People like change, and we have had short sleeve shirts for a number of years. Besides, as a fall event long sleeves are probably more appropriate."

In the past, free shuttle buses took runners who parked downtown near the finish to Delaware and Hertel, near the front of the starting line. This year, the shuttles will take runners to the Target Plaza on Delaware, near the back of the line. "It's about the same distance from the line, but it will help avoid congestion at the front of the race," pointed out Donnelly. "However, it is closer to the Delaware YMCA, where the portable toilets will be located." The last shuttle to the starting line will leave the Convention Center at 7:45 AM.

The racecourse will be the same, and the general rules remain in effect: roller blades, strollers, and dogs are not allowed on the racecourse. 

Many of the runners' family, friends and co-workers turn out for the race, and this year race organizers are trying to get spectators more involved in the Turkey Trot.   They're working with Marti Gorman, community organizer and founder of Buffalo Homecoming (formerly Buffalo Old Home Week) to develop even more spectator involvement. "We want to get community groups involved in cheering on the runners," explained Donnelly. "We have crowds of people along the racecourse now, but we want even more." He pointed to the Utica Boilermaker 15K, which has drawn national attention with its large, colorful crowds of spectators.  In Utica, each neighborhood along the race competes to support the runners and claim the title as the most supportive. "It'll take some time for us to get to the level of Utica, but we hope to build on it every year."

Runners will again receive computer chip timing devices in their race packets that they can attached to a shoe to record the actual start and finish times.  At the end of the race runners will receive two results: "gun time," which records your time from when the starting gun sounded and when you crossed the finish line, and "chip time," which is the time from when you actually crossed the starting line and when you crossed the finish line. The difference this year is that the Turkey Trot will use D-Tag disposable chips that don't have to be returned following the race. "That will eliminate a lot of fuss getting through the finishing chute, since we won't have to remove everyone's chips," explained Donnelly. "In addition, if something comes up and you can't make it to the race, you don't have the responsibility of having to return the chip."

There's also going to be a change with the post-race party, which attracts thousands of runners as well as their family and friends. Instead of just using the second floor of the Convention Center for post-race festivities, the organizers will now have 8,000 sq. ft. area on the first floor. Not only will it provide some additional space for the huge post-race crowd, but it will also be a family-friendly, alcohol-free area. "We anticipate that it won't be as congested as upstairs," said Donnelly. "It'll be a great place to just grab a yogurt or water, or to meet someone after the race."  Volunteers and signage will direct runners to the area.

After the race, shuttles will run from the Convention Center to the Delaware Y from 10:30 to 11:45 AM.

Despite all the changes taking place with the Turkey Trot, one thing certainly won't change ---- Turkey Trot will once again be one of Buffalo's premier running events, and a memorable experience for runners and spectators alike.

An entry costs $20 up to November 21st, $25 up to November 25th, and $30 the day of the race. You can get information and register online at www.ymcabuffaloniagara.org. Proceeds from the event are used to underwrite programs and services of YMCA Buffalo Niagara.