Since 1896, Buffalo has hosted the Turkey Trot, making it the oldest road race in the country. And even though the area is still digging out from 6 to 8 feet of snow (followed by rain), the race will go on this year as planned.
These kinds of road races happen across the country on Thanksgiving — sort of a preemptive strike against the huge Thanksgiving meals that people consume.
According to the Calorie Control Council, the average American consumes about 4,500 calories in a single Thanksgiving dinner — about double the calories the average woman eats in a full day.
It’s not surprising then that an increasing number of Americans are trying to start their day with a little exercise. In fact, more road races take place on Thanksgiving Day than any other day of the year, with about 870,000 people participating last year, and numbers are expected to be even higher today.
Buffalo Turkey Trot organizer Kathy Romanowski of the Buffalo YMCA joins Here & Now‘s Robin Young to discuss the race, which includes a strong charity element and a lot of runners dressed as pilgrims.
Guest
- Kathy Romanowski, communications director at YMCA Buffalo Niagra in Buffalo, New York. She tweets @KRSINGS.
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