RUNNING WITH PURPOSE
Annual turkey trot helps foundation to support local youth
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » The 16th annual Christopher Dailey Turkey Trot took place Thursday morning.
Thousands gathered to watch and participate on a sunny but chilly Thanksgiving morning. Last year, about 3,300 runners took part and raised more than $45,000, with funds going to the Christopher Dailey Foundation, which assists youth and youth sports programs throughout the rea.
Mark Dailey and his wife, Maria, of Wilton, established the foundation for their son, who died at age 8 on Nov. 23, 2001, the day after Thanksgiving. He was a third-grade student at Dorothy Nolan Elementary School. Since 2012, the foundation has given more than $500,000 to more than 50 different groups. Its first and biggest project is funding the Christopher Dailey Memorial Youth Gymnasium at Gavin Park in Wilton, which has provided a space for many youth and adult recreational programs.
The Turkey Trot is one of two major fundraisers the foundation holds each year. The other is a golf tournament held annually in May at McGregor Links Country Club.
The 5K race started on Broadway in front of City Hall and finished on North Broadway, near John Witt Construction.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.» Two Saratogians won the best overall and female times during Thursday’s 16th annual Christopher Dailey Turkey Trot.
Joseph Verro ran the race for the eighth time, securing his first win at 15:55, while Dana Bush ran for her 10th time, finishing the race in 19 minutes, but Thursday wasn’t the first time she won the race.
“It felt good. I just wanted to try and see what kind of shape I’m in going into indoor season and I guess I’m in OK shape,” said Verro, who runs at the University of New Hampshire, with a laugh.
Bush said she felt pretty good. She ran a marathon in October.
“It’s the first race back, which is always challenging,” said Bush. “But my family comes out every year to do this, so it’s a tradition for our family and a nice way to start out Thanksgiving.”
For both winners, the race has been a family affair.
“Sometimes I run with my younger kids, but they are all on teams now, so they’re running with their teammates,” said Bush. “My husband and I just ran by ourselves.”
“It’s a big family tradition for us to come out. I have five other family members in it, and it’s just fun to come out and compete,” said Verro. “I’ve also had a lot of teammates win this race, so it’s nice to add my name to the list.”
The annual race is in honor of Christopher Dailey who passed away at eight on Nov. 23, 2001. He attended Dorothy Nolan Elementary School.
“The cause that we’re running for means a lot to me,” said Bush. “I’m the principal at Dorothy Nolan Elementary School, so the Dailey family has been amazing and they’ve suffered a lot so I think the least we can do is get out here and show our support for their family.”
Thursday morning was a tad cold, which made for some difficult conditions.
“It was a lot of a fun. A little cold, but still a good turn out,” said Verro. “I was definitely having a little trouble breathing, and my feet and hands are numb, but I guess that’s pretty normal with everybody so you just got to keep fighting through it and everybody’s feeling the same thing.”