35th Annual Madison Turkey Trot Happening on Thanksgiving
The 35th Annual Madison Turkey Trot is happening on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 28 at 10 a.m. at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison.The run and walk will once again start from the West Beach area of the park and is a very flat five-mile run course throughout the grounds of Hammonasset with the two-mile family fitness walk held following the start of the run on a separate course. Those interested in participating must register by Monday, Nov. 25 at 4 p.m. to register for $20, as it’s $25 thereafter. Please make checks payable to Madison Jaycees and mail the form to: The Madison Jaycees, PO BOX 128, Madison, CT 06443 or visit http://madisonjc.com/events/turkey/. Packet pick-up will be held Tuesday, Nov. 26 and Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 121 Samson Rock Dr. in Madison (formerly Hill & Hill, across from Stop & Shop plaza). Stop by and get your bib, timing device, and t-shirt between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and avoid the lines on race day. Non-perishable food items will also be collected at this time for local food pantries and new and gently used books will be collected for Read to Grow. Packets may also be picked up at the race. The Turkey Trot is once again dedicated in memory of Dave Parcells, the two-term Madison Jaycee President who passed away suddenly in April of 2007. Dave was a loving and extremely involved father to his two children, a tremendous leader, fundraiser, and an inspiration to everyone he met. He was also the oldest person to swim an English Channel double-crossing, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to benefit local charities. Dave touched and inspired the lives of everyone he knew, and will be deeply missed. In 1979 when this event began there were 22 participants. Now 34 years later, it has exceeded 3,000 participants making it one of the largest road races in the state.