All Ages Turn Out for Turkey Trot at Mountain Park

The William Annin Middle School's Parent-Teacher Organization held a 5K run and a 1-mile "health walk" on Sunday morning at Mountain Park in the township. The pre-Thanksgiving Turkey Trot was open to all ages, and attracted everyone from infants in strollers to a 92-year-old woman who ran the certified 5K loop.

The event, the first for the PTO, created as a multi-pupose affair that collected donations for the Food Bank Network of  Somerset County Food Bank, also promoted health awareness before the holidays, served as a fundraiser for the PTO.

"We wanted to get a community event going and spread the message of excercise and family health in the season," said organizer Julie Keating.

The event was underwritten by Basking Ridge Pediatrics, the Kid Fit Program at Morristown Memorial Hospital and Dental Associates of Basking Ridge. 

The participants included adults and kids of many ages in both the 5K race and the health walk. The 5K course was USATF certified and was routed along a flat looped trail through the park.

"Events like this can promote children's fitness which is a huge community health issue," said pediatrician Dr. Tom Porter, from Basking Ridge Pediatrics. "Middle school is the time when kids become less active, become more interested in their school work or video games, and giving a family based event such as this is a great benefit to the community."

Beryl Buckman, 92, visiting from Seattle, and her daughter, Kathleen Davies, said they drove down from N.Y. state because they had seen the 5K race on the Internet, and enjoy attending such races together.