Annual Turkey Trot Memorial Race In The Works For Long Valley

LONG VALLEY, NJ — Calling all runners: The annual West Morris Central High School Memorial Turkey Trot 5k race and walk will be held on Thanksgiving Day.

This fun family, student, and community-oriented race loops through West Morris Central High School's beautiful campus on a flat and fast course.

The WMC Memorial 5K Turkey Trot is a community event held to carry on the WMC Memorial Race tradition that started many years ago in memory of Kyleigh D'Alessio and Tanner Birch.

Since then, the race has also honored Stephen Berstler's memory, and the race proceeds will continue to fund memorial scholarships in their honor, as well as new recreational projects for the benefit of the Township.

The race, which is co-sponsored by WMCHS and the Washington Township Recreation Committee, will begin at 8:00 a.m., rain or shine, with check-in starting at 7:00 a.m. Each participant must pay a $30 registration fee.

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

Competitors from Washington Township, Chester, Mendham, Randolph, Hackettstown, Califon, High Bridge and other nearby towns see this as an excellent alternative to traveling to distant Turkey Trot races, race officials said.

“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.

According to officials, there will be plenty of free parking as well as restrooms. All attendees are encouraged to look for photo opportunities with the race mascot, "Trotter," as well as group photos with turkey-themed face cutouts.