NORTH READING — The 16th running of the North Reading 5K Turkey Trot is coming up in four weeks on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27. It’s a great way to start the day and is open to all ages! Participate by running the 5K or walking the 1.75-mile course, both of which start and end at Ipswich River Park. Costumes are encouraged! The race begins at 8 a.m.
Then enjoy the football game between the North Reading Hornets and Lynnfield Pioneers (at Lynnfield this year) and spend the remainder of the day with family and friends at Thanksgiving gatherings!
To register, go to www.northreadingturkeytrot.com. Register by Sunday, November 9 before midnight to enjoy low entry fees and to guarantee receipt of a short-sleeve commemorative t-shirt in the size you want! Shirts will not be guaranteed if you register after this date and entry fees will increase by $10 to $15.
There are presently 900 folks registered to participate. The race will be capped at 1,500. Online registration will continue through midnight on Sunday, Nov. 16, or until the 1,500-registrant threshold is reached.
Elementary School Challenge
The Elementary School Challenge is on as each school will strive to get 20% of its student population to participate on race day. The Middle School will strive to get 100 students to participate on race day.
Food Pantry Drive
Once again, the Middle School’s Early Act Club will be collecting donations for the North Reading Food Pantry at the pre-race bib pick-up from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24 in the Middle School cafeteria. Marathon Sports, 688 Main St., Reading will also serve as an alternate pre-race bib pick up site on Saturday, Nov. 22 (10 a.m.- 3 p.m.) and Sunday, Nov. 23 (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.).
$200,000 and counting
To date, the North Reading Hornet Hall of Fame Committee, which sponsors the Turkey Trot, has donated about $200,000 toward NRHS Athletic Department needs in addition to funding student scholarships and equipment for the physical education programs in the town’s schools!