7th Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Steps Off for Strong Sparta Schools

It's time again for Sparta's annual Thanksgiving holiday tradition, the Krogh's Turkey Trot 5K Walk/Run and 1-Mile Fun Run.

The seventh annual event—also known as "the tradition before the tradition"—is sponsored by the Sparta Education Foundation with support from Krogh's Restaurant as a means of raising funds for instructional programs and tools for local students; bringing together families, individuals and businesses; and promoting strong public schools.

The event begins Wednesday, the day before the trot. From 5-8 p.m., participants may pick up necessities for carb-loading: the carbohydrates. The Packet Pick-Up/Pasta Party takes place at the Lake Mohawk Country Club, 21 Boardwalk. Dinner is provided by Villa Capri II. The party is where bib numbers will be distributed in alphabetical order.

Race Day comes to Lake Mohawk early Thanksgiving morning. Registration is available from 7-8:30 a.m. The cost to register is $30 for adults and $25 for youth 17 and under for the 5K run/walk; $15 for the 1-mile Fun Run (ages 5 and under must run with a parent or guardian). Those who pre-registered will check in during this time. Bagels, fruit and bottled water will be provided to ensure that everyone is nourished. Then, it's off to the races: The Fun Run steps off at 8:15 a.m., followed by the Turkey Trot 5K run/walk at 8:45 a.m.

The U.S. Association of Track and Field-certified course is a fairly simple out and back. Runners and walkers start at Krogh's Restaurant, run along East Shore Trail (where, the SEF website notes, they will see with beautiful views of Lake Mohawk), turn around at Spear Terrace and end where they started at Krogh's Restaurant.

All Fun Runners will receive a ribbon for participation. Turkey Trot awards will be given to the top three male and female runners overall and to the top three male and female runners in five-year age groups for those between 6-19 and in 10-year age groupings for those between 20 and 80+.