WASHINGTON TWP. – Last year’s West Morris Central Memorial 5K Turkey Trot was a record breaker. Hungry runners will continue to chase the tradition on Thursday, Nov. 23 on the grounds of West Morris Central High School on Bartley Road.
Online registration is still accepting runners. There is a fee of $30 which will increase Thanksgiving Day for last minute walk-ons. The race starts at 8 a.m. Local runners have found it
to be the perfect appetite tune up for the later Thanksgiving feasts. Around 400 runners
showed up last year for the record breaking race. “It’s about community,’’ organizer Tim Daly said last year. “You’ve got all these people here. They can’t spend enough time with family and friends and they find time for us here, too.’’ Last year’s race featured repeat winners. West Point athletes Garrett Gough and Long Valley’s Luke Lusskin battled for top male spot with Gough, a Thanksgiving guest winning. Long Valley’s Julia Trethaway was also a repeat champion as top female finisher. The annual event raises money for the $1,000 scholarship funds established in memory of former West Morris Central students Kyleigh D’Alessio, Tanner Birch, Stephen Berstler and Paul Heembrock.
Proceeds benefit West Morris Centrals' Project Graduation and other recreation endeavors
such as the rock climbing wall used at Washington Township’s Community Night Out.
A new scholarship that will also be funded by the run was announced in September. The
American Veterans Association of Washington Township Post 1776 is establishing the $1,000
award with the goal of increasing student knowledge and appreciation for the role of military
service and sacrifice. The award will be given to the student who best captures the sacrifice demonstrated by a fallen veteran in a 500-word essay. The winning essays will be memorialized on the West Morris Central Wall of Honor which commemorates alumni who fell in combat.
For more information go to: https://wmcturkeytrot.com/