MILLERSVILLE TURKEY TROT HISTORY
The start of the 10 mile Turkey Trot in 1979
The first Millersville Turkey Trot was held in 1973 and organized by Bob Charles and Harold Kramer. The ten mile course started on Manor Avenue, at the intersection of Millersville Road, and headed West on Rt. 999 for about 4 miles. The course returned on Charlestown Road and finished with a ½ mile hill up Millersville Road.
Running and road racing were growing quickly at that time and the initial race attracted about 800 participants. The event was held on the Sunday afternoon before Thanksgiving.
The 1973 race was won by Jeff Bradley, following his flight back from the Cross Country Collegiate National competition the day before. Awards at that time were a turkey for the winner and age group champions. Jeff’s roommates paid his entry fee in hopes of getting a turkey dinner before returning home for the holidays.
The race moved to its current location at Millersville University after a few years and participation declined as long distance runners were attracted to the ever-growing marathons held throughout the Northeast in the fall. The Turkey Trot became a 5K race in 1978 to better match the changing preferences of the running community.
The Turkey Trot attracted about 125 to 150 competitors per year over the next few decades.
In 2012, again changing to meet participant preferences, the race was moved to Thanksgiving morning and now attracts well over 1,000 participants.
DO YOU HAVE MEMORABILIA FROM ANY OF THE
MILLERSVILLE TURKEY TROT 10 MILERS?
If so, we’d love to share them with others! Email your pictures of past races, entry forms, race results, t-shirts, trophies, etc. to CyFritzFoundation@gmail.com. We’ll add your pictures to our online Flickr album. Click below!