Turkey Trot Quickly Became 'Chatham Family Tradition'

Hundreds of Chatham residents will start Thanksgiving with a run.

There are two separate races in the Chathams Thursday morning, one in Chatham Township and one in Chatham Borough.

The Fifth Annual Chatham Turkey Trot through the Highlands section of Chatham Township is poised to see its biggest turnout yet, and decided to close registration at 500 entrants.

“We are very pleased to see the overwhelming interest in the Chatham Turkey Trot," Chatham Turkey Trot President Curt Ritter, who was elected this month to the Township Committee, said Wednesday. "In just five short years the race has become a Chatham family tradition to kick-off the holidays with a run through the Highlands.

"We’re appreciative of all those participating in the 1-mile family fun run and 5K race, our sponsors, Mayor Hagner and Township Committee, as well as the Department of Public Works for their support. Their efforts allow us to raise funds for the Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department and the Diabetes Research Institute, two organizations that do so much for others.”

The race starts at the corner of Seminole Way and Van Houton Avenue in Chatham Township.

Warm-ups start at 8 a.m., the one-mile Family Fun Run starts at 8:30 a.m., the 5K starts after a 9 a.m. program and the national anthem, and an awards ceremony follows the conclusion of the race.

Registration still is open for the 2nd Annual Thanksgiving “Trot the Manor” Turkey Trot. This run takes participants through the manor section of Chatham, with a one-mile fun run at 8:30 a.m. and a 5K at 9 a.m. The race starts at Rowan Road and Jackson Avenue.

Proceeds benefit the Chatham Fire Department.

Thomas Regan, one of the "Trot the Manor" organizers, said they expect a a few hundred participants, and that 100 runners have signed up for one-mile run, and 100 runners signed up for the 5K.

"It's a friends, family and neighborhood run, and raises money for the town we live in and our children are growing up in," Regan said.

Have any photos to share from the races? You can upload them to the Chatham Patch boards, or email jacob.remaly@patch.com.