'Turkey Trot' For Marlborough Food Pantry Returns In 2021

This article was contributed by Steven T. Sager of the Highland City Striders

MARLBOROUGH, MA — The Highland City Striders Tough Ten and Fast Five Turkey Trot will be held live and in-person this year on the Sunday following Thanksgiving (Nov. 28) at Ghiloni

Park in Marlborough.

A local favorite, this Turkey Trot helps stuff the Marlborough Community Cupboard for the coming winter. The race is organized by the Highland City Striders (HCS), the preeminent run club in the MetroWest/I-495 area (www.highlandcitystriders.org).

There is no entry fee for the Turkey Trot, but participants are asked to bring 15 shelf stable food items for the Community Cupboard. The food donations benefit families, children, and others facing food insecurity in Marlborough and surrounding areas. HCS has been using this race for nearly 20 years to donate several thousand of food items each year to those in need, and sponsors other races to benefit other area food pantries.

Runners can choose to run the “Tough Ten Mile” course or join runners and walkers on a “Fast Five Mile” route through the rolling hills of Marlborough and Hudson. Both course routes begin and ending in Ghiloni Park. The race starts at 9 a.m. and is well-supported by volunteers, water stops and course marshals from HCS. Registration and food collection for the Turkey Trot will be in-person at Ghiloni Park, beginning at 8 a.m. on Nov. 28. Water and post-race nutrition are also available.

The Marlborough Community Cupboard has served the community residents since 1992 and provides groceries, fresh fruit and vegetables, and other items. In addition to shelf stable food items, Turkey Trot participants can donate toiletries, diapers (sizes 5-6), cooking oil, sugar and condiments, all of which are needed by the Cupboard’s clients.

Since 2002, the Highland City Striders has provided regular weekly runs of various distances for fun and to keep in shape! The run club draws its members from Marlborough, Hudson, Sudbury, Northborough, Southborough, Stow and surrounding towns, and is open to anyone who likes to run, sweat, laugh and have fun!