GREENFIELD — Despite the cold weather, hundreds of runners came out on Thanksgiving morning to participate in the Turkey Day 5K, one of Hancock County’s largest five-kilometer recreational races.
The total number of participants in the race came in at 389, outnumbering last year’s total of approximately 350.
The race also included a one-mile course for children and others who wanted a shorter run. This is the fourth year overall for the run and the second year using a new route, which runs through downtown Greenfield, along part of Pennsy Trail and through Riley Park.
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Ellen Kuker, Greenfield’s superintendent of parks and one of the race’s organizers, said the route allows runners to see “a little bit of everything” in the heart of the city.
“We had 350 people who participated last year and we got very good, positive comments on the course, so we kept it. What’s really unique about the course is that we run right down downtown,” Kuker said.
Runners both began and ended the race in front of the Memorial Building. Runners had up to 90 minutes to complete the course, but the fastest finishers began returning by the 19-minute mark.
The first-place finisher in the male category was Liam Cleveland, while Jessica Long finished first among women. Each received a $100 prize.
Cleveland said he was happy to finish first, but thought he could have accomplished a faster time.
“It was very cold, and it was very windy too,” Cleveland said.
Julia Bell and her daughter Hadley Bell were among the first finishers in the one-mile race.
“It was fun. She was wanting to run a race with me and her granddad. We both run, so she found this race so she could do it,” Julia Bell said.
Proceeds from the race benefit Greenfield Parks and Recreation, Greenfield Main Street and Hancock Hope House homeless shelter. Kuker said representatives from the three organizations begin meeting in January to plan the event.
“You always want to raise as much money as you can, but I think we’re content as long as our number stays the same or grows,” Hope House program coordinator Angie Lyon said.
The race raised a little over $10,000 in 2018.
“A lot of it is about visibility,” Kuker said. “It’s about getting Hope House’s name in front of people, getting Greenfield Main Street in front of people, and letting people know that (the parks department) wants to be a leader in healthy activities. It’s a great way to get our organization’s names out there to everybody.”