By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Northborough – Seven years ago, Northborough residents Rita Matraia and Maggie Kosovsky organized a small get-together Thanksgiving morning for their friends to get some exercise. The women also decided to ask those participating to bring some goods for the Northborough Food Pantry. Thirty friends showed up that morning to run a 5k course starting and ending in Matraia’s Colby Street neighborhood. In the ensuing years, the now-annual event grew and grew, so much so that last year’s 5k drew over 150 participants.
And because the event had grown so much, in 2011, the women asked that entrants make monetary donations instead of goods because it was so cumbersome to transport the donated items. That year 70 runners and walkers donated $950. In 2012, $2,300 was raised.
For this year’s seventh annual Thanksgiving Day 5k Turkey Trot, the event will start and finish at the Marion E. Zeh Elementary School, 33 Howard St., Northborough. Matraia is hoping that over 200 runners and walkers will participate.
“This is a great way to get some exercise but more importantly, help local families in need,” she said. “People don’t realize how much need there is, even in a town like this. It’s not just people out of work; it’s also the working poor.”
One hundred percent of the proceeds collected will go directly to the pantry, Matraia said. The event’s costs will be covered by the company she owns, The Core Connection.
Pre-register at www.thecoreconnection.com. Registration is $5 for ages 6 to 12, $10 for ages 13 to 18, and $20 for adults. Registration by cash or check will be accepted that morning beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Zeh School, with the event starting at 8 a.m.
For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page, 7th Annual Turkey Trot to Benefit the Northborough Food Pantry or email [email protected]