Thanksgiving Day might be also called Running Day here in Bucks County because everyone seems to want to get in some exercise before the afternoon’s big meal.
For 35 years, the Bucks County Roadrunners Thanksgiving Day 5-Miler in Langhorne provided a venue for those looking to race that morning.
Last year a sellout field of about 1,250 took to the streets in and around Core Creek Park.
But this year there’s a new kid in town. And it’s literally just a mile or two away in Newtown.
The Newtown Turkey Trot 5K was organized to honor the memory of fallen Newtown Borough police officer Brian Gregg, who died some 20 years ago (Sept. 29, 2005) in the line of duty.
Gregg was born in Bristol and raised in Levittown. According to the NTT 5K website, he was a graduate of Bucks County Community College and Ferris State University.
He later pursued his passion for public service through law enforcement and was known for his courage, compassion and commitment to protecting his community.
Gregg’s name lives on through Brian S. Gregg Memorial Park and Officer Brian S. Gregg Memorial Bypass, a section of the Newtown Bypass dedicated to his memory.
Funds from the race support the Bucks County Heroes Scholarship Fund.
Newtown Borough police sergeant Sean Orr is helping to organize the event with assistance from Boss Events and the folks at Always Advancing (a company in Newtown which produces medals and shirts for some of the biggest races in the country, including the Philadelphia Marathon.) Boss Events is known for the successful Shamrock Shuffle, which has raised thousands of dollars for “A Love of Life” charity.
Orr wanted to come up with an event which would help keep Gregg’s memory alive. So he approached Always Advancing.
“I was trying to think of something that we could come up with,” Orr said in a telephone interview. “We were throwing around a couple of different ideas. We also wanted to give back to the Heroes Scholarship Fund. Brian’s son actually just graduated from Bucks County Community College, so he benefitted from it.”
The race is directed by Boss Events’ Carly Seiler-Bovell. The event is hoping to draw approximately 400 runners.
Now some might think having two races so close together, on the same day and at the same time, might not work out.
The two events have not really discussed some sort of partnership. . .yet.
John O’Brien, director of the Thanksgiving Day 5-Miler, indicated the BCRR wants the two races to reach some sort of accord which will benefit both events.
“Honoring Officer Gregg’s legacy is a wonderful cause,” O’Brien said via text. “I remember his life was taken – my wife called from lockdown during Neshaminy Middle School’s back to school night to tell me to bring our boys inside while helicopters circled overhead searching for his killer.
“It’s unfortunate the new race is scheduled for the same day and so close to the BCRR Thanksgiving Day race, now in its 35th year with all proceeds over $20,000 going to local charities. Splitting runners between two races increases overhead and reduces total charitable support. We hope we can partner in the future to maximize help for these great local causes.”
After one year of this situation, perhaps race organizers can get a better idea of where things stand.
“I wanted the date of our race to be close to the anniversary,” Orr said. “Thanksgiving day would give the race the most exposure. Most kids are home from college. Most stores are closed on Thanksgiving. That was my thinking behind it.”
Newtown Turkey Trot organizers are hoping to have a strong presence from police departments in neighboring towns.
“It’s the largest running day in the country,” Orr added. “This is about Brian’s legacy moving on into the future. We’re hoping to have a great event that families can participate in.”
>Race calendar
>Saturday
Crooked Billet 5K, 9:30 a.m., Warminster. Contact www.pretzelcitysports.com
Newtown Haunted Hustle 5K, 9 a.m., Newtown. Contact www.runsignup.com
>Sunday
Take a Bite Out of Cancer 5K, 9 a.m., Chalfont. Contact www.pretzelcitysports.com
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