To many, Thanksgiving Day is for food and family. But for nearly 3,000 in Port Washington, the day begins bright and early with the annual Turkey Trot. Since 1975, competitive runners, casual joggers, college kids returning home and intergenerational family groups have lined up on Manorhaven Blvd. to await the 8:30 a.m. gun start of the annual Port Washington Thanksgiving Day Run.
The race, established in the early years by sports legend Walter Bingham and his wife, Betty, local running hero Steve Lubar and Port science teacher David Katz, has grown from a few hundred participants to nearly 3,000. The five-mile run, which begins near Manorhaven Park, makes a scenic loop through four Port Washington villages and brings out plenty of local running talent. Some are hoping for an award in their age group, others a personal best and still others are just looking to have fun and burn some calories before the Thanksgiving feast. Whether people are running enthusiasts, walking, volunteering or simply spectating, all agree that the Thanksgiving Day Run fosters a sense of community and civic pride, as people come together for this traditional footrace benefiting the Community Chest of Port Washington.
Now in its 40th year, the Port Washington race is an occasion for fitness, camaraderie and charity and is one of the most successful Turkey Trots on Long Island. Race proceeds (generated by sponsorships and run fees) are distributed to 25 nonprofit organizations through Community Chest grants. Opportunities for additional enjoyment include the 8 a.m. yoga stretch, run jointly by Om Sweet Om Yoga and Yoga Life, the Dejana Pie Raffle Contest and the Tweezerman “Beauty Care Kit” drawing.
Facilitating the run’s financial success are this year’s sponsors: T-shirt sponsor: Peter & Jeri Dejana Family Foundation; Platinum sponsor: Tweezerman International; Gold sponsors: Friends of Port Rowing, The Slade Family Foundation, TD Bank; Midway Water sponsor: Port Beer & Soda; Silver sponsors: Baker Air, Harding Real Estate, NY Sports Podiatry, Stop & Shop, WAC Lighting; and Bronze sponsors: Arena Sport & Graphics, Bott’s Service Center, Care Connect, Cow Bay Contracting, Craft Beer Cellars, Gold Coast Family Dental, Gulfway Marine, Island Photography, Massage Envy, George & Joan Nahas and the Nahas Family, NY Environmental, Om Sweet Om Yoga, Port Washington Federal Credit Union, Reuben Ganci Smile Designs, Sands Point Center For Health & Rehabilitation, Schmergel Enterprises, Shake-N-Go Fashion, Dr. Bruce Sims, Training Station Athletic Clubs, Vastgood Properties, Yoga Life and The Wedding Company.
Long-sleeved commemorative T-shirts are given to every registrant, medals to each finisher, awards to the top three overall and male/female in each of 16 age groups.
For information or to register, contact the Community Chest at 516-767-2121 or go to www.portchest.org.
Julie Meer Harnick is Executive Director of the Community Chest of Port Washington.
