A DAY TO REMEMBER

More than 7,000 make 70th Turkey Trot a rousing success

TROY, N.Y. >> Thursday was a record-breaking day in many ways for the Collar City’s signature annual event.

Under sunny skies and steadily warming temperatures, 7,195 people hit the streets of the city for the annual Troy Turkey Trot. For a second straight year, the number of runners marked a milestone in Trot history, participating in the 70th edition of the event one year after more than 7,000 runners celebrated the 100th anniversary of the race in 2016. Those numbers trail only the 8,300 who took part in the 65th Trot back in 2012.

Breaking records wasn’t limited to participation, however, with new standards set in the 5K men’s and 10K women’s races. Jonathan Aziz, who grew up in Guilderland but now runs out of Boulder, Colorado, picked up his third- straight 5K title, crossing the line in 14:57 to become the only back-to-back-to-back winner in the history of that contest. Meanwhile, Ivette Mejia of New York City blew away the field in her first Trot, coming home third overall in the 10K in 33:51, obliterating the previous women’s 10K mark of 34:27 set in 1984 by Ellen Weglarz, an eight-time winner of the women’s 10K title.

“It was amazing,” Mejia said of the experience. “Everyone was so

supportive; they were cheering for me the entire way. That kept pushing me to try to catch the two men in front of me.”

Experiences like Mejia’s make the Trot more than a hearty competition for the region’s best runners, as seen in continually high registration numbers at a time when many races are seeing fewer entries, according to longtime event director George Regan.

“It’s already special because of the day, the tradition,” Regan said. “We have a lot of tradition here, and it’s so much fun. Families get together, everybody’s smil-

ing, and now, everybody’s going to go home to their families.”

That tradition has become such a draw that Regan said little promotion is needed.

“We don’t do any more recruiting for this race,” Regan explained. “The emphasis is on participation versus competition.”

It’s also a chance for the city to put on its holiday best for people from throughout the nation — Regan said the race saw entries this from 34 states, as well as several foreign countries.

“It’s heartening to see everyone come out,” said Mayor Patrick Madden, a longtime participant himself before becoming mayor. “It’s a great race, a signature event for the city of Troy. It’s a chance for us

to showcase what we can do here with our downtown, the spirit we have. I love this race.”

Mejia said she decided to make the 2 ½-hour trek north because she hadn’t

competed since spring in a 10K, which she said is her best distance, so she chose the closest 10K to her home to wrap up her season.

“I’m glad I ended the season here,” she said.

PHOTOS BY MARK ROBARGE - MROBARGE@TROYRECORD.COM Runners set out on the 10K championship race Thursday morning during the 70th Troy Turkey Trot in downtown Troy, with eventual race winner Anthony Giuliano, running shirtless, leading the way. View a photo gallery with this story at www.troyrecord.com.

Event director George Regan, right, goes over results from Thursday’s 70th running of the Troy Turkey Trot with Ivette Mejia of New York City, who was the first female finisher - third overall - in the 10K race, posting a record time in the process.

Stephen Cupp of Clifton Park, right, stands near the finish line of the 70th Troy Turkey Trot on Thursday with the Herlihy family from Wilton, from right, Meghan, Quinn, Trudie, John and Elizabeth.

PHOTOS BY MARK ROBARGE - MROBARGE@TROYRECORD.COM Santa’s little helpers, from left, Susan, Emily and Alyssa Herrington, all of Cambridge, cool down after running the 5K race together Thursday at the 70th Troy Turkey Trot.