December 3, 2024 by Max Greenblatt (‘26)
Every year, thousands of locals show up on Thanksgiving morning to run in Saratoga’s 23rd annual Christopher Dailey turkey trot. The race begins at 8:30, and participants make a 5km loop- starting at the corner of Broadway and Lake Avenue and finishing on the corner of Route 50 and North Broadway.
The Christopher Dailey Foundation was created to honor the legacy of Christopher Dailey, a remarkable young boy whose sudden passing at age eight had a tremendous impact on the Saratoga community. For the last 23 years, the Christopher Dailey Foundation has worked to support kids and families in need within the Saratoga community. In 2006, they built the Christopher Dailey Gymnasium at Gavin Park. The Foundation continues to raise money through the Christopher Dailey Golf tournament and the Christopher Dailey turkey trot.
This year, the Foundation set two records. They had more than 3,800 sign-ups for the race and also unfortunately the most no-shows of any year: 1600. However, while many who skipped out on the trot were likely still asleep or starting their at home (or away) Thanksgiving preparations, more than 2,200 runners braved the icy weather on Thursday morning. By 8:30 a.m., more than 3 inches of snow had already fallen, marking the first snow of the winter season. The magical snowfall (yet extremely cold temperatures for running) continued throughout the Turkey trot and into the evening.
Darren Pasek, a 12th-grade student at Saratoga Springs High School and varsity cross-country runner, finished first with a time of 17 minutes and 44 seconds.
This event to many is a fun tradition to do with friends and family while gathered for the Thanksgiving festivities and can be an incentive for those trying to earn their Thanksgiving feast!
all photos by Max Greenblatt