As many people slept late on Thanksgiving morning, more than 1500 runners/walkers and hundreds of spectators gathered in the chilling temperatures at Ipswich River Park for the 8th Annual North Reading Turkey Trot.
Just eight years ago, this race that is sponsored by the North Reading Hornet Athletic Hall of Fame, had less than 200 participants. Now people travel hours to run the challenging 5K course that treks through many beautiful neighborhoods of North Reading and ends at the gates of Ipswich River Park.
All proceeds benefit sports programs in the town. North Reading prides itself as active community - and that is reflected in it's youth, as 548 of the runners were under the age of 18! The North Reading Elementary School Challenge awards the local elementary school with the highest percentage of its student body participating in the race with a $300 prize for its health and fitness program. The North Reading Middle School receives a similar prize if more than 100 of the school’s students participate in the race. The remainder of the proceeds benefit the sports programs at North Reading High School. Medals and awards are given to the top three runners in each age category as well as 3-member team.
Every participant is a winner by starting Thanksgiving with a healthy run!
For more information regarding events and living in North Reading, contact Marina Masciarelli Tramontozzi, Managing Broker / Partner of True North Realty 617-291-8220
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