Turkey Trot Planned For Thanksgiving Day In Long Valley

LONG VALLEY, NJ — There's no better way to prepare for a warm and hearty meal of turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie than to go for a nice long run the morning before.

In Long Valley, residents are invited to take part in the annual West Morris Central High School Memorial Turkey Trot 5k race and walk, slated for Thursday morning.

Runners and walkers can gather at West Morris Central High School behind one of the soccer fields on Nov. 24 – Thanksgiving Day – at 8:00 a.m., rain or shine, organizers say.

“Don’t sit home Thanksgiving morning, join us for 5K of fun and exercise. You may even see a Turkey or Santa Claus along the way,” Kevin Daly, The Washington Township Turkey Trot Committee Chairman said.

All attendees are encouraged to look for photo opportunities with "Trotter," the race mascot, as well as group photos with turkey-themed face cutouts.

The course this year begins behind the soccer fields and ends on the track that surrounds the football field. All race participants will complete a full 5 kilometers by looping around the course twice.

The Turkey Trot is a community event held to carry on the WMC Memorial Race tradition that began in 2007 in memory of Kyleigh D'Alessio and Tanner Birch. Since then, the race has also honored Stephen Berstler and Paul Heembrock.

All four were West Morris Central student athletes.

The race proceeds will also continue to fund memorial scholarships in their honor, as well as new recreational projects for the benefit of the township.