RUNNERS BRAVE COLDEST TURKEY TROT EVER
TROY >> As runners from all over the area hit the starting line for the 2018 Thanksgiving Day Troy Turkey Trot, Mayor Patrick Madden congratulated the runners for braving the coldest Turkey Trot ever.
“This event continues to be the gold standard of Turkey Trots,” said Madden. “The Troy Turkey Trot showcases the athleticism and passion of our local running community and their willingness to give back to those in need during the holidays. Congratulations to our winners and all who participated in this year’s exciting event, and we wish everyone a happy, safe and healthy Thanksgiving weekend.”
Temperatures stuck around eight degrees with wind chills near zero.
The day kicked off with the 10k starting off bright and early at 10 a.m. Out of 1,563 participants, former UAlbany runner and now volunteer coach Ryan Udvadia from Long Island outran the competition and finished his 10k run with a 31:43 time.
“I saw there was prize money,” said Udvadia on his motivation to run the race. “I run every Thanksgiving. — Not running a turkey trot on Thanksgiving is like not eating turkey on Thanksgiving for everyone.”
Ryan walked away with a $300 cash prize and the winner of the 2018 Troy Turkey Trot 10k.
Not far behind Udvadia was the winner of the women.
Karen Bertasso of Albany, New York finished at 37:34.
“It slowed me down,” said Bertasso on the cold weather and its effects on her during the race. “This is our first blast of cold here so it’s tough to get acclimated to it. We aren’t used to it all. This is very early in the year. Hopefully this isn’t a prediction of the rest of our winter.”
“Hats off to everyone who came out today,” said longtime Event Director George Regan. “Although the day was one of the coldest Thanksgivings on record, it was heartwarming to see so many local families continuing make our annual event part of their Thanksgiving plans.”
Following the 10k, 397 kids hit the street for the grade school mile and braved the same exact cold as the 10ker’s had just minutes beforehand.
They were soon followed by 431 participants in the one-mile Turkey Walk.
And then the 5k was afoot. More than 4,000 runners conquered the skin tightening cold. Those who competed in the costume contest also competed in the 5k, allowing onlookers the chance to see a hot dog or two, or a christmas elf, sprinting alongside a high school runner representing their school colors with pride.
Kyle Gronostaj from East Greenbush finished the 5k with a time of 14:55. Gronostaj was the first to cross the finish line at Monument Square. Gronostaj was just seconds off from the course record set by Jonathan Aziz in 2015 with a time of 14:53.
Hannah Reinhardt from Albany finished with a 16:39 time, conquering the female bracket.
Wind played a big factor for the racers. As runners came off the starting line for the 10k, they could feel the wind slowly chilling the muscles on their face.
“There was a slight wind to my face going out,” said Udvadia. “It was blowing behind at the finish — I think it helped.”
“When I was running out I’d thought it’d be on our backs on the way in,” said Bertasso. “It felt exactly the same way on the way coming in.”
Bertasso noted there’s no real way to prepare for how the wind is going to act and the factors it will play.
Thanksgiving is an opportunity to help less fortunate members of our community and participants donated more than $15,000+ to support the Trot’s charities, the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and Joseph’s House and Shelter, Inc., a Troy-based not-forprofit whose mission is to prevent and alleviate homelessness. Hundreds of participants and spectators also brought non-perishable food items to give to local food pantries.
More than 6,400 runners from 40 states and five nations gathered for a heaping helping of fun, family and fitness this morning at the 71st running of the Troy Turkey Trot.