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The Morning Call: Bethlehem’s Turkey Trot: Fitness after the feast
November 9th, 2016 | In The News
Written by Jennifer Sheehan for The Morning Call
For many families, it’s become part of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Relatives come back to the Lehigh Valley and gather, not just to eat turkey and stuffing, but also to take part in the Historic Turkey Trot 5K Run & Fitness Walk, which is held the Saturday after Thanksgiving in the historic Colonial Industrial Quarter in Bethlehem.
It’s the 14th year for this popular holiday event, sponsored by Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites.
“It kicks off the Christmas season in Bethlehem,” says Mary Mulder, special events manager for Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites. “It’s a tradition for a lot of families.”
The Turkey Trot annually has participants from 20 to 30 states, and families have made it part of their Thanksgiving tradition. When relatives come to visit for the weekend, many include the Turkey Trot as a family event.
And it has something for everyone, whether you’re a serious runner or just looking for something fun to do (aside from holiday shopping).
The event follows a picturesque USA Track and Field-certified course starting in the historic Colonial Industrial Quarter and winding through the National Historic Landmark District of Historic Moravian Bethlehem.
Warm-ups begin at 8:40 a.m. Nov. 26 and the run will begin at 9.
The 5K is an opportunity to work off some of those Thanksgiving calories. According to the Calorie Control Council, the average person in the U.S. consumes 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat during Thanksgiving. (Nutritionists advise you consume no more than 70 fat grams a day.)
If you aren’t quite up to running, you can still take part either in a competitive walk or a leisurely fun walk (not timed; strollers and dogs welcome). The competitive walk, which is timed, will begin at 9:05 a.m. while the fun walk will start at 9:10 a.m.
Of course, the Turkey Trot is also a lot of fun because costumes are encouraged. In previous years, Turkey Trot participants wore head-to-toe turkey costumes, pumpkin pie hats and Santa outfits.
New this year: Your pet can dress up, too. Enter the Fun Walk for a chance to win the Best Pet Costume award. (Register your dog online at www.HistoricBethlehem.org.)
Santa will also be on hand this year for photos 9:15-10 a.m. in the Colonial Industrial Quarter. You can purchase some of Groman’s famous Moravian Sugar Cookies and kiffles from legendary baker Eva Seibert during the duration of the race near the Luckenbach Mill. (Sure, more calories but trust me these cookies and kiffles are worth it.)
After the event, you can see the Holiday Dinner Art exhibition on the second floor of the newly renovated Luckenbach Mill.
The exhibit features art by prominent local artists Diane Hutchinson, Ben Marcune, Sandra Corpora, Lee Branagan, Bernie Taylor, Pat Deluva, Noel Adams and Skip Kralik. The Holiday Art Auction exhibition will be on display in the Luckenbach Mill through Nov. 30 (11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; by appointment Monday-Friday).
jsheehan@mcall.com
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14th HISTORIC TURKEY TROT
*What: 14th annual event brings together runners, competitive walkers and those looking for a fun leisurely stroll
*When: Kicks off 9 a.m. Nov. 26
*Where: Starting at the Colonial Industrial Quarter, 459 Old York Road, Bethlehem
*How much: 5K run and competitive walkers, $40 online till Nov. 22; $45, Nov. 23-26; fun walkers, $25 until Nov. 22; $30, Nov. 23-26.
*Register, info: www.historicbethlehem.org
