The 12th annual Turkey Trot returns to Greenwich on Saturday, November 26. The Greenwich Alliance for Education, organizer of the fundraising event for Greenwich Public School programs, expects nearly 2,000 participants and spectators for the largest community event of the Thanksgiving weekend. For the first time in 2022, the First Selectman’s Youth Commission will be actively involved – as both volunteers and fundraisers – for the event.
Registrants can choose from either a 5K race or a non-competitive 1 mile run/walk. Both races begin and end at the Arch Street Teen Center at 100 Arch Street, and pace through the beautiful flat roads of Bruce Park. The 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk sponsored by Cadillac of Greenwich starts at 9:30AM, followed by the 5K at 10:00AM. Warm-up and stretching will be offered at 9:00AM.
“The Turkey Trot gets bigger and better every year,” said Julie Faryniarz, Executive Director, Greenwich Alliance for Education. “We look forward to bringing the community together again this November to have fun – and to fundraise – for Greenwich public school programming.” Registration, which is available online at https://greenwichalliance.org/turkey-trot-2022/ costs $15 for children (13 and under) and $30 for adults until October 31. Adult pricing increases to $35 from November 1 to November 25, and $40 on race day (November 26). All proceeds from the Turkey Trot will directly benefit Greenwich Alliance for Education programs which fund innovation, expand opportunities and inspire teachers to foster educational success for Greenwich Public School students.
A continued highlight is the Alliance’s annual “Run For Your School Competition,” awarding a $500 gift card for physical education purchases to the Greenwich school with the greatest number of registered runners. The 2021 winner was North Street School.
Faryniarz hopes to leverage the time and talents of the First Selectman’s Youth Commission, a 29-member community of teens representing different backgrounds, different schools, different geographic parts of Town and different interests, to expand the event’s impact.
“We’re so excited to tap into the enthusiasm and energy of the First Selectman’s Youth Commission members,” said Julie Faryniarz. “These teens can help us with logistics, marketing and fundraising, which will generate even more participation from Greenwich’s public and private school students and their families.”
Performance material t-shirts and goody bags are guaranteed to runners who register by November 11. Pre-registrants are encouraged to pick-up race materials – bibs, t-shirts and goody bags – on Friday, November 25, at Cadillac of Greenwich at 144 Railroad Avenue. Race-day registration will take place inside the Arch Street Teen Center from 8:15AM-9:15AM.
Awards and merchandise prizes will be presented to the top three overall male and female 5K winners. The top three male and female finishers in 9 age categories, from 10-and-under to 70-plus also will receive awards donated by ASF Promotions. All 1-mile finishers will receive medals.
The Turkey Trot is the Greenwich Alliance for Education’s largest fundraising event. Cadillac of Greenwich is lead sponsor for the 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk, with all other generous sponsors listed on the Alliance website. Sponsorship of the 5K race is still available. Local businesses interested in publicizing their commitment to education by sponsoring should contact Julie Faryniarz at julie@greenwichalliance.org.
This November, two Cos Cob eateries are hosting special “dining days” demonstrating their support of the Turkey Trot. Community members are encouraged to visit the Little Pub, at 531 E. Putnam Ave, Cos Cob, for lunch or dinner on Wednesday, October 12; and Caren’s Cos Cobber, 31 E Putnam Ave in Cos Cob, for breakfast, lunch or dinner on Thursday, November 3.
Founded in 2006 as a way for the Greenwich community to support the Greenwich Public School system, the Greenwich Alliance for Education funds innovation, expands opportunities and inspires educators. Its main programs include: “Reaching Out Grants,” grants awarded to pilot innovative programs in our schools; “Tuning In To Music,” free instrumental music lessons for students unable to afford this opportunity; “AVID SUCCESS,” essential extensions to the AVID program addressing the opportunity gap; Early Childhood Education through the “Greenwich United Way’s Direct Impact program – Early Childhood Achievement Gap Solutions.” For information, call 203-340-2323 or visit www.greenwichalliance.org.
