Kerry Donley's Family To Lead Alexandria Turkey Trot As Grand Marshals

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The family of the late Kerry Donley, former Alexandria mayor, will be grand marshals of the 2022 Alexandria Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 24.

The 47th annual Alexandria Turkey Trot is a Thanksgiving morning tradition, drawing some of the East Coast's top elite runners and thousands for a five-mile flat course in the Del Ray neighborhood. The Donley family was selected for their service to Alexandria. The family has made the Turkey Trot their own Thanksgiving tradition.

"Seeing their family run together through the years represents the things we love most about the Turkey Trot — family, traditions, and gathering as a community to give back to those in need," said Dr. Lauren Fisher, president of the Del Ray Business Association, in a statement. "We are so happy to honor his memory and celebrate his legacy in this special way."

Donley died on July 13 at age 66 and is survived by his wife, Eva, five daughters, five grandchildren and another grandchild on the way. A longtime Alexandria resident, Donley was first elected to Alexandria City Council in 1988, was mayor from 1996 to 2003 and was vice mayor from 1994 to 1996 and again from 2009 to 2012. He has also served as chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia and was most recently a senior vice president at John Marshall Bank.

Donley had also held various community positions, including athletic director at T.C. Williams High School, Alexandria Economic Development Partnership board, Alexandria Transit Company Board of Directors, Scholarship Fund of Alexandria board, Alexandria Senior Services board, Alexandria Renew Enterprises board, Center for Alexandria’s Children board, Carpenter’s Shelter's board, Alexandria United Way and Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy board.

The Alexandria Turkey Trot will start at 9 a.m. on Nov.24. The race starts and ends at George Washington Middle School and will be followed by an awards ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Runners, walkers, dogs and strollers are welcome to participate.

The event benefits ALIVE, a nonprofit supporting Alexandria residents in need with food and other assistance. In 2021, the Del Ray Business Association provided 1,869 pounds of food and a $6,000 check through the Turkey Trot to ALIVE's food assistance program. Attendees are encouraged to bring two nonperishable food items to the Turkey Trot or make a donation to ALIVE when registering online.

Pre-registration is encouraged due to the popularity of the event. For more information and registration, visit www.alexandriaturkeytrot.com.