While North Texans woke up early to get started with the turkey, thousands of others laced up their sneakers for a big run.
NBC 5 is the proud media sponsor of the 40th annual Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot Race.
For the first time in two years, families gathered Thursday morning for a 40-year Thanksgiving tradition. The event was completely virtual last year due to COVID-19.
Former Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price attended 39 of those years. The one year she was released was due to the birth of her child.
“It’s really a tradition for me,” she says. “It’s always fun to see family and friends here. I’ve seen friends have children and now their children have children, you see different strollers every year, people with their dogs.”
Price was one of 10 to be inducted into the brand new Hall of Fame, which includes individuals or organizations who have supported the Fort Worth YMCA Trot over the years.
The very first Turkey Trot started in 1981 with only 200 runners. Coming back this year as the pandemic was huge despite the cold and windy weather.
From babies in prams to 92-year-olds, around 7,500 have registered for the 10K, 5K and 1K runs. At least 37 states, Canada, Uganda and 467 postcodes were represented. Many more could also take part virtually.
“It’s so exciting to come here and go for a walk with 2,000 of your closest friends,” said Leslie Dell, who has competed in the Turkey Trot every year for 15 years.
Runners, walkers and joggers have crossed the finish line to grab these really cool 40th anniversary medals for this year’s @FortWorthYMCA Turkey Trot. Now it’s time to prepare for the turkey meal! Happy Thanksgiving !! @NBCDFW pic.twitter.com/QUwZ7uxekS
– Alanna Quillen (@ AlannaNBC5) November 25, 2021
Each year, the Turkey Trot serves as the Fort Worth YMCA’s largest fundraiser, helping the organization continue important programs that help local families in need.
“We raise approximately $ 1.5 million annually through our annual campaign to fund scholarship programs across the Greater Fort Worth area,” said Mike Brown, CEO of Fort Worth YMCA. “This will generate just over $ 150,000 in scholarship money to help fund the YMCA. This is a big event for us. “
The YMCA’s efforts include supporting basic childcare, drowning prevention and water safety, youth sports, health programs, summer camps, senior citizen engagement, food insecurity and more.
“I go downtown Y two or three days a week and watch new mothers come in and take their babies to childcare,” Price said. “You wouldn’t have gone anywhere else if it wasn’t for the Y because it’s a program that’s in part taken over by the people who come to Turkey Trot.”
Tarrant County tops the state for drowning numbers and really covers all ages and races. The YMCA has worked with the Fort Worth Drowning Prevention Coalition to address these challenges.
To learn more about YMCA programming, click here.
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