The Cazenovia High School Class of 2023, in cooperation with the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation (CPF) and CazCares, will offer the community a chance to participate in a virtual “Turkey Trot” 5K run or walk from Nov. 25-29.
“There are many benefits to taking part, including good health and good causes,” said Village of Cazenovia Mayor Kurt Wheeler.
According to Wheeler, the sophomore class was unable to conduct its annual Pumpkin Run earlier this fall and the narrow route of the Gorge Trail made CPF’s Thanksgiving Trot impractical this year, so the two groups are joining forces to offer a new opportunity for 2020.
The new route, which begins and ends on Emory Ave in front of the high school, will feature an interesting tour of the village highlighted by history and trivia about the community.
Participants will have the opportunity to complete a quiz on the race website to compete for prizes based on what they learned during the event.
As part of its mission to preserve the historic, natural and agricultural resources of Cazenovia, and to provide opportunities for community members to engage with Cazenovia’s history, CPF will be placing interpretive signage at several “history stops” along the route. Those who are planning on keeping a quick running pace may wish to preview the information online prior to setting out on the route. The local history, researched by CPF, underscores the importance of learning about and preserving Cazenovia’s heritage.
Participation in the event as a runner/walker or as a sponsor will benefit two local causes. The sophomores, like so many other groups, have been unable to conduct their usual fundraisers due to the pandemic, but are hopeful that the world will return to normal in time for signature high school events such as their Junior Prom and Senior Ball. The class will also donate ten percent of its proceeds from the event to CazCares to support the good work they are doing helping local families in need this holiday season.
Sign up or donate to the event by searching for Cazenovia Turkey Trot at runsignup.com or going to runsignup.com/Race/NY/Cazenovia/TurkeyTrotVirtualRunWalk.
“Taking part in the event will also benefit participants,” said Wheeler. “Exercising and staying healthy is especially important this year as many traditional workout options have been limited. Vigorous activity, especially outdoors in the fresh air, is not only good for your physical health, but your mental health as well. The virtual nature of the event, conducted anytime from Nov. 25 to 29 with times self-reported to the race site, allows participants to stay safe by doing it individually or with their family and maintaining social distance from others.”
Please visit the event’s webpage on runsignup.com for more information.
