Turkey-trot fundraisers challenged by pandemic

Turkey-trot fundraisers across the region are being slowed down this year by the covid-19 pandemic, which is reducing participation and forcing many of the events to go virtual.

The 29th annual Greensburg Turkey Trot has 235 runners and walkers signed up for this year’s virtual event, down from more than 2,000 last year, according to race director Carol Palcic. The event raises money for the Greensburg-based Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Laurel Region.

“The family groups are not doing it because they are not gathering,” Palcic said. “It’s OK. We will celebrate big next year for our 30-year anniversary.”

The Kiski Valley Turkey Trot is having better luck. The event, along with other fundraising efforts associated with it, has raised more than $25,000 this year, a record for the event, said Duane Prusia, president of the Kiski Area Youth Network, the beneficiary of the trot.

While the event will have a virtual component, much of the trot will be held in person with two heats of about 250 runners and walkers at a time and a smaller third heat. About 650 people have registered for event at Kunkle Park and Pine Run Road in Washington Township, Prusia said.

The event will include a virtual component, but much of it will be held in person with runners divided into two heats.

“It’s a very festive atmosphere,” Prusia said.

Organizers won’t be putting out burn barrels for participants to huddle around to stay warm as they did last year. Prusia said organizers will ask people to observe safe social distancing and require them to wear masks when they aren’t running.

“We can’t stop people from dancing, which they like to do and some even come in some costume,” he said.

Another in-person trot, the Latrobe Turkey Trout, is attracting live racers, but far fewer than last year.

Registrations stood at about 550 on Monday, down from the average 900 to 1,100, said Craig Shevchik, director of Latrobe-GLSD Parks and Recreation. The event is the nonprofit’s largest fundraiser.

“Overall, it’s been really hard for nonprofits,” he said. “It’s a tough time for everybody.”

Runners and walkers will leave the starting line in waves of socially distanced groups, Shevchik said.

“It’s important to try to have some type of normalcy for the tradition that people have for themselves,” Shevchik said. “We had some people switch from person to virtual, we don’t question that.”

Trotters can still register for the Latrobe Turkey Trot on Wednesday at Memorial Stadium in Latrobe or come the morning of the trot.