With just more than a week until Thanksgiving, things are preheating up in Troy for the 78th annual Turkey Trot.
“Last year was my 10th, and I announced, I kicked off the race, hopped off the stage, joined the runners — and yeah, of course, getting your music on and all that is, yeah.”
“What was the playlist?”
“So, I like a mixture,” said Carmella Mantello, Troy's mayor. “I do some hip-hop. I do country. No classical, no jazz. For the race, I like Eminem — just something that gets me…”
“‘Not Afraid’ by Eminem? That’s the choice?”
“That’s a great one,” Mantello said.
This year, Mantello expects to run her 11th consecutive trot. With more than 7,000 runners and 10,000 visitors expected to take to River Street before the holiday feast, Mantello says the Turkey Trot is one of the city’s biggest events. Funds raised through registration go to the Regional Food Bank and Joseph’s House and Shelter.
Amy LaFountain, executive director of Joseph’s House, says every step taken during the race is a step toward ending homelessness. Last year, the food bank and shelter were each awarded more than $20,000. Regional Food Bank CEO Tom Nardacci says the race provides a place for friends and family to reconnect and support those in need.
“Because when everyone was away at college, this is where we came and met. The night before, we were at the Ale House until who knows what time, and then we rolled out of bed. We didn’t do any of that training we were supposed to do. I know I can’t do it now, but when you’re 21 years old it’s a different story. But it’s been a part of my life for a long, long time.”
Nardacci, who grew up in Rensselaer, said he’s likely missed only one race since his freshman year of high school. Now, instead of participating, he’s organizing.
This year, the race has a new director: the Albany Running Exchange. Founder Josh Merlis says that while the event still offers several different course distances, there are more goodies available for participants.
Packet pickup will now be held at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Saturday and Wednesday. Merlis says participants have more to look forward to than just picking up their bibs.
“By bringing people inside, they have an opportunity to interact with each other — not just the people they drive there with but others. There will be music, a festive atmosphere, and guest speakers.”
Speakers include several decorated local runners, including Jack Huber, whose Turkey Trot run went viral in 2022 after a competitor — later disqualified — knocked him to the ground, injuring him and a photographer.
Now, the race includes other improvements, Merlis says, including live race stats that deliver more accurate, streamlined results.
“When every runner gets their bib, they should scan it,” Merlis said. “It will immediately pull up their information. We’ll be able to verify in real time that you were handed the correct bib. It’s a little thing on an individual basis, but with upward of 7,000 expected, we want to make sure results are perfect as soon as they’re online.”
Sponsored by Pioneer Bank, the races kick off at 8 a.m. with the 10K, followed by a grade-school mile, a 1-mile walk, and later the event’s flagship 5K.
For those still deciding whether to brace the weather or not, Mayor Mantello has one more message:
“I do plan to sign an executive order waiving all calories for Troy residents on Thanksgiving,” she said.
