Runners participate in annual Turkey Trot
SPARTA — An early blast of snow didn’t stop hundreds of runners from taking part in the 8th annual Krogh’s Turkey Trot in Lake Mohawk on Thanksgiving morning.
This popular fundraiser for The Sparta Education Foundation is known as “the tradition before the tradition,” when an 8:45 a.m. start leaves plenty of time to prepare and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner. In addition to the main run, a one-mile Fun Run was held.
A total of 1,349 runners participated in both events.
The 5K course on East Shore Trail started and ended at White Deer Plaza in front of Krogh’s Restaurant and Brew Pub with views of Lake Mohawk along the way.
Finishing in first place was Justin Scheid, of Sparta, with a time of 15:49, followed by Billy Washer, of Oak Ridge, at 16:50. In third place was Jeremy Scheid, of Sparta, at 17:10. Among the female runners, Carly Zinner, of Sussex, was the champion with a time of 18:54. Claudia DiSomma, of Sparta, was second at 19:20, and Stephanie Herrick, of New York City, was third, running 19:30.
A pasta party for all the registered runners was catered by Villa Capri II, which took place on Wednesday night before the race at Lake Mohawk Country Club.
The Turkey Trot was directed by Sabrina Lucas and co-chaired by Kylen Anderson, member of the Sparta Board of Education, and Dorothy LaBeau, president of the Sparta Education Foundation.
Scores of local volunteers kept things running smoothly, and Sparta High School student Blaze Dalio sang the national anthem before the race. Sparta Middle School Principal Michael Gregory was the official race starter.
Founded in 2006, the Sparta Education Foundation has donated over $535,000 in grants to the Sparta public schools. The most recent donations include electronic stringed instruments for the Sparta Middle School orchestra, robotics and technical science equipment for Sparta High School, 3-D printers for Sparta Middle School and document cameras for Helen Morgan Elementary school.
For more information visit spartaeducationfoundation.org.