MILLERSVILLE TURKEY TROT HISTORY
The start of the 10 mile Turkey Trot
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 2,000 participants.
In memorium…
Harold Kramer, co-founder of the Millersville Turkey Trot
“Kramer” died Monday, December 21, 2015 at age 84 at Hospice & Community Care, Mount Joy. He is survived by his wife Fay, of sixty-three and a half years, and by son, Bruce and his wife, Pamela; grandsons, Alex and Andrew; granddaughter, Jolene Smith and a great-granddaughter, Harper Smith. Also surviving is a stepbrother, William, of Newtown Square, PA.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Kramer graduated from John Bartram High School in 1949. He married Fay on June 21, 1952 and was drafted into the U.S. Army on October 21, 1952. He was stationed as a draftsman at Indiantown Gap and then at the Carlisle Army War College returning to Philadelphia. Upon his discharge, he and Fay moved to Yeadon, PA until his company, Simplex Valve and Meter, moved to Lancaster in February 1955. He and Fay moved to Lititz and in September 1956 to Millersville where they resided ever since.
Kramer graduated from Millersville State Teachers College in 1958 with a math major and minor in physical sciences. He began his teaching career at Manheim Central Junior High School where he taught math in grades seven through nine for the next thirty-four years. He graduated from Temple University with a Master’s in classroom teaching. Researching the different methods of teaching math, he had a paper published on the results. While at Manheim Central he served as Principal of The Adult Evening School.
He belonged to numerous professional societies as well as being a member of the Mt. Washington Observatory and the U.S. Chess Federation.
An avid hiker, Kramer climbed Mt. Washington over fifty times, the Grand Canyon three times as well as several other western mountains. As a Co-Director of the initial Turkey Trot, a ten mile run, he served in that capacity until the Trot’s success grew too large for him and Bob Charles to handle.
Along with Fay, he cruised almost fifty times including nineteen transatlantic crossings. He visited England over fifteen times, seeing the sights as well as friends there.
To view his obituary, click here or download the article here.
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!
PARTNERSHIPS
Become a partner of the Millersville Turkey Trot and help further the mission of the race
The Millersville Turkey Trot has a long tradition of supporting the community and empowering women. Through the Cy Fritz Foundation, the entity that organizes the race, many LOCAL groups benefit from the proceeds of the race. If your mission aligns with ours, and you want your business to help foster that mission while receiving positive exposure, then a partnership may help you achieve that goal. Starting in 1973, the Millersville Turkey Trot is Lancaster County’s OLDEST road race! It conducts a fun, family-oriented event that is a Thanksgiving morning tradition with thousands of participants. While fun, family, friends, and fellowship are most obvious on race day, it’s what happens as a result of the race that makes the most impact. Here’s just one example.
Emily Beers
Lyndsey Kregel
One of the main beneficiaries of the race is the Millersville University cross country and track & field teams. The Cy Fritz Foundation’s mission statement is “Enhance and promote personal development and competitive opportunities for athletes participating in cross country and track & field at Millersville University.” The personal development skills they acquire now will play a major role for these female athletes long after their college careers end. Through proceeds from the Millersville Turkey Trot, the Cy Fritz Foundation can help maximize the athletic opportunities for the female student-athletes of these programs. We strongly feel this will empower them to reach their maximum potential in life to become leaders, innovators, and mentors while inspiring and motivating others. Providing these athletes the tools to succeed helps foster goal-setting, time management, and leadership, while building self-esteem, self-confidence, and furthering personal development.
Emily Beers and Lyndsey Kregel are Millersville University track & field athletes and Cy Fritz Foundation Board members. Learn how they and their teammates are making a difference through their leadership and initiatives which are making an impact on their fellow students and the community.
A lOCAL race that benefits LOCAL organizations
From supporting youth, to battling food insecurity, the Millersville Turkey Trot is a LOCAL race that benefits its community. In addition to the Millersville University cross country and track & field teams, other entities benefit from the race as well. Below are the organizations that benefit from our event.
Blue Rock Fire Department
Campus Cupboard Food Bank
The Loft Food Bank
Penn Manor Cheerleading
Penn Manor Civitas
Penn Manor Cross Country Team
Penn Manor Mini-thon
Penn Manor National Honor Society
Let’s Connect!
Do you want to be a part of the event and its mission? If so, we’d love to hear from you. There are several levels of opportunities available. We can also customize one specifically to fit your needs. Simply fill out the form below and our Partnership Director will be in touch. Thank you in advance for your interest in our race and our mission!
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