Pre-Turkey Tradition Returns

Runners will again head to the streets of Huntington before turkey time for the annual Thanksgiving Day Run.

A Huntington Thanksgiving Day tradition returns for its 29th installment when runners take off for the Thanksgiving Day Run in two weeks.

Organized by the Townwide Fund of Huntington, the run draws thousands each year. Runners are encouraged to register now for the event, which starts at the American Legion Post 360 in Halesite on Thursday, Nov. 27. The 1K Fun Run begins at 8:30 a.m. and the main run begins at 9 a.m.

“The Townwide Fund Thanksgiving Day Run has become a family tradition for so many of our runners, who consider the race just as important to their visit home as gathering around the Thanksgiving dinner table. We are hoping for a great turnout again this year, and are very excited about the continuing strong support of our sponsors, volunteers and every member of the community who has made this annual event such a part of the Huntington Thanksgiving tradition,” said Bea Hartigan, who has organized the Townwide Fund fall event since at least 1982, and is known throughout Huntington for her leadership role in the races.

The Thanksgiving Day Run is a 4-mile turnaround with one hill, while the Fun Run is a .62 mile family run. The event will be measured, timed and managed by Finish Line Road Race Technicians. Results will be posted on www.flrrt.com.

To register online, visit www.townwidefund.org – the link to register is on the home page in the news item about the run.  Entry forms are also available at the Super Runner's Shop at 355 New York Ave. in Huntington village.

Registration is $25 per runner until race day, when it rises to $40. The Fun Run entry fee is $7 per person.

Pre-Race check-in and T-shirt pickup is at Super Runner's Shop on Nov. 25 and Nov. 26, from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. T-shirts will be available only for the first 1,700 who pick up their race materials.

Due to reduced parking availability, runners are advised to take Wall Street/West Shore Road north from Main Street (25-A) and park at the ball fields of Mill Dam Park.

For more information on the run or sponsorships, call the Townwide Fund office at 631-629-4950. Sponsorships are available at all levels, except for the Event Sponsor level, and are priced from $150 for a T-shirt sponsorship to the $2,500 Gold Sponsorship.

The Townwide Fund of Huntington was founded in 1961 by a group of private citizens who wanted to help local charities raise funds. The organization's essential mission was to keep money raised in Huntington within the community. Now over 50 years and $10 million later, the Townwide Fund continues to infuse local organizations with the support they need to provide vital health and human services to the people of Huntington.