Lehigh University Athletics
The Turkey Trot Lives On!
11/3/2010 9:43:00 PM | Recreation
2009 Turkey Trot Participants
With the Turkey Trot just 2 weeks away, Campus Athletics is looking towards another successful event. The Turkey Trot will turn 57 years old on Thursday, November 18th and Campus Athletics would like to invite you to the big birthday party. This 2.6 mile annual event through campus encapsulates the Lehigh Community as a whole and takes a large staff to help with course preparations and site administration.
The Trot staff consists of 7 full time staff members and numerous Campus Athletics student staff to handle the start and finish of the race. Barb Turanchik'75 and Director of Club sports states "The Turkey Trot is a long standing Lehigh tradition that has been enjoyed by the Lehigh community for over 5 decades - it's hard to imagine I have witnessed it for over 30 years as a student -alumna and employee and even though it has had changes over the years it is still the same fun event with people competing for the distinction to come in first or run with friends for the pure fun of it not caring where they finish -just so they are with their friends and can say "I RAN the TROT" just like others can say I BEAT LAFAYETTE !
Taryn Gall, Athletics Recruiting/Compliance Coordinator has been helping with the race for 6 years states," I love the anticipation and excitement around this event. Students, faculty and staff come out to participate and watch. Everyone is awaiting the start and eagerly waiting for the first sighting of the lead racers as they near the end of the race"! Eileen Biro, Football Staff Secretary for Athletics "It's my 3rd year helping with the Turkey Trot." "I look forward to seeing the costumes worn by some of the racers and working with the crew!" Mary Jo McNulty, Human Resource Associate and Barb have been working the event for years! Their mission is making sure the finishers are outfitted with an award winning t-shirt. This year, long sleeve Lehigh "Beat Lafayette "Turkey Trot t-shirts will be awarded to the first 240 people to cross the finish line. Mary Jo looks forward to the event every year since it provides a chance for her to work at something with her friends in Athletics. "I think Jane Josephson and Doug Strange do an amazing job preparing for this event year after year!!! The atmosphere which provides people the opportunity to come cheer on the faculty, staff and students every year is overwhelming!!!" Stacy Shiffert, Athletics Business and Budet Manager round out the fab 5 of seasoned administers that works closely with Doug Strange, Director of Fitness ( in his 19th year Trot management and Jane Josephson, Director of Intramurals whom will be seeking her 22 year of Trot overall administration. It is a ton of work for a race that lasts 20-25 minutes but well worth the effort. It's enjoyable to actually work with our student staff and relish the excitement of the evening!
This year, we have added a new and exciting twist to the race. For years, we have tried to get more people involved, but how? Doug Strange, Director of Fitness, and some of the Wellness Committee members came up with a new twist - incorporating a walking route that is not as cumbersome as the 2.6 mile race. After examining our route, we determined that we could reroute the walkers and keep them on the bottom half of the course and by doing so, this could do the trick to generate more excitement and participation! Doug, in his witty way, created the TOO HOT To TROT theme! A catchy little title that seems to have attracted many new faces! This path is a mere 1 mile jaunt on the lower half of the course, providing those that choose not to conquer the hill, the opportunity to become part of the annual tradition prior to the Lehigh/Lafayette Football game!
So lace up the sneakers and come to one of the biggest parties on campus that draws over 500 of your friends! All you have to do is register at the Intramural Office in Lower Grace Hall
Monday – Thursday, 10 am – 5 pm or Fridays, 10am -12 noon to get on the "A" guest list!
Registration for the race will conclude on Tuesday, November 16th.
This exclusive event is for Lehigh University Faculty/Staff and Students only!
The Trot staff consists of 7 full time staff members and numerous Campus Athletics student staff to handle the start and finish of the race. Barb Turanchik'75 and Director of Club sports states "The Turkey Trot is a long standing Lehigh tradition that has been enjoyed by the Lehigh community for over 5 decades - it's hard to imagine I have witnessed it for over 30 years as a student -alumna and employee and even though it has had changes over the years it is still the same fun event with people competing for the distinction to come in first or run with friends for the pure fun of it not caring where they finish -just so they are with their friends and can say "I RAN the TROT" just like others can say I BEAT LAFAYETTE !
Taryn Gall, Athletics Recruiting/Compliance Coordinator has been helping with the race for 6 years states," I love the anticipation and excitement around this event. Students, faculty and staff come out to participate and watch. Everyone is awaiting the start and eagerly waiting for the first sighting of the lead racers as they near the end of the race"! Eileen Biro, Football Staff Secretary for Athletics "It's my 3rd year helping with the Turkey Trot." "I look forward to seeing the costumes worn by some of the racers and working with the crew!" Mary Jo McNulty, Human Resource Associate and Barb have been working the event for years! Their mission is making sure the finishers are outfitted with an award winning t-shirt. This year, long sleeve Lehigh "Beat Lafayette "Turkey Trot t-shirts will be awarded to the first 240 people to cross the finish line. Mary Jo looks forward to the event every year since it provides a chance for her to work at something with her friends in Athletics. "I think Jane Josephson and Doug Strange do an amazing job preparing for this event year after year!!! The atmosphere which provides people the opportunity to come cheer on the faculty, staff and students every year is overwhelming!!!" Stacy Shiffert, Athletics Business and Budet Manager round out the fab 5 of seasoned administers that works closely with Doug Strange, Director of Fitness ( in his 19th year Trot management and Jane Josephson, Director of Intramurals whom will be seeking her 22 year of Trot overall administration. It is a ton of work for a race that lasts 20-25 minutes but well worth the effort. It's enjoyable to actually work with our student staff and relish the excitement of the evening!
This year, we have added a new and exciting twist to the race. For years, we have tried to get more people involved, but how? Doug Strange, Director of Fitness, and some of the Wellness Committee members came up with a new twist - incorporating a walking route that is not as cumbersome as the 2.6 mile race. After examining our route, we determined that we could reroute the walkers and keep them on the bottom half of the course and by doing so, this could do the trick to generate more excitement and participation! Doug, in his witty way, created the TOO HOT To TROT theme! A catchy little title that seems to have attracted many new faces! This path is a mere 1 mile jaunt on the lower half of the course, providing those that choose not to conquer the hill, the opportunity to become part of the annual tradition prior to the Lehigh/Lafayette Football game!
So lace up the sneakers and come to one of the biggest parties on campus that draws over 500 of your friends! All you have to do is register at the Intramural Office in Lower Grace Hall
Monday – Thursday, 10 am – 5 pm or Fridays, 10am -12 noon to get on the "A" guest list!
Registration for the race will conclude on Tuesday, November 16th.
This exclusive event is for Lehigh University Faculty/Staff and Students only!
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