On the Town: Turkey Trot is a feather in Y’s cap

While it is not out of the ordinary to see people of all ages getting in their daily workout by walking, jogging or even running through different areas of Burbank, it is only one day a year that more than 2,500 do it at the same time, in the same place, with some sporting turkey hats or dressed as pilgrims.

That one day is Thanksgiving, the place is downtown Burbank, and the event is the Burbank Community YMCA’s annual Turkey Trot.

While the only exercise many people get on Thanksgiving is lifting a fork to their mouths and clicking the remote back and forth between football games, those who participate in this run not only do some serious pre-feast calorie burning, they also help to raise funds for the Y’s numerous programs.

Join the conversation on Facebook >>

Kicking off the Thanksgiving morning festivities for the seventh consecutive year was the 2016 race director Ryan J. Kugler, who, in his dual role as the event’s emcee, welcomed the runners and their supporters with assistance from Mary Cutone, the Y’s executive director, former Burbank Police Chief Tim Stehr and Mickey DePalo, a member of the Burbank Parks, Recreation and Community Services Board.

For entry fees of $40 for adults and $20 for kids, participants of all ages converged at the downtown Burbank YMCA to peruse a pre-race expo before taking to the 7:30 a.m. 10k and 5K runs, a 5K walk and a Kiddie Run on a double-loop course measured to USA Track and Field standards.

The event, presented by the Cusumano Real Estate Group and the Downtown Burbank Partnership, will help the Y in its membership-assistance program, which makes the YMCA’s facilities and programs available to children and families regardless of their ability to pay.

The Burbank Community YMCA, which has been serving local residents for more than 90 years, has a commitment to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Those tenets are achieved through a variety of programs that provide people with the opportunity to become stronger in spirit, mind and body.

Programs include aquatics, gymnastics, martial arts, basketball, boxing as well as art and fitness classes and programs such as Youth and Government, Counselor in Training, Service Learning and a year-round program for toddlers and school-age children through the Y’s Child Development Center.

--

DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.