Northborough –In 2008, Northborough residents Rita Matraia and Maggie Kosovsky organized a small get-together Thanksgiving morning as a way to get some exercise and enjoy some camaraderie with their friends. The women also decided to ask those participating to bring some goods for the Northborough Food Pantry. Thirty of their friends showed up that morning to run a 5k course that started and ended in Matraia’s Colby Street neighborhood. It was so much fun for all it became an annual event, growing in numbers each year.
In 2011, the women asked that entrants make monetary donations instead of goods because it was becoming so cumbersome to transport the donated items. And then, in 2014, because the event was getting too big to be held in Matraia’s neighborhood, it was moved to the Marion E. Zeh School.
Last year, Matraia anticipated she would still draw many people to the race. That is, until the area was hit with an unexpected snowstorm just days before the event.
“Despite that we had over 200 runners, including 50 who signed up that morning!” she recalled. “We raised $5,650 for the Food Pantry.”
“This year we are expecting 300 runners to participate in the event,” she added. “We have an official timing company, corporate sponsors, and long sleeve T-shirts for pre-registered participants.”
Entry fees prior to the event are adults, $20 and kids 17 and under, $10. Day of event fees are adults $25 and kids $15.
To register or more information visit www.northboroturkeytrot.com.