A fast downhill finish can lead to personal records at Penn State New Kensington's Turkey Trot.
5K attracts more than 100 runners
As Mr. Rogers used to say, “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood.”
And a beautiful fall day it was Nov. 9 in the neighborhood of Upper Burrell, Pennsylvania, for the 34th running of the Turkey Trot 5K at Penn State New Kensington. Under sunny skies, more than 100 students, alumni, friends and neighbors turned out for the 3.1-mile run that raised $1,000 for Cystic Fibrosis.
The out-and-back race started at the Athletics Center, snaked its way through the campus, and along Myers Drive to the turnaround point. Held in conjunction with the 5K was a low-key 1-mile family fun run or walk that stayed within the campus perimeter.
Race coordinator Pepsi Umberger, instructor in kinesiology at the campus, developed the three-race format in 2009 to accommodate alumni, friends and families in the local communities. She partnered with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to help children and adults with the debilitating disease.
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States. A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs, leads to life-threatening lung infections, obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.
For photos of the race, visit http://psnk.smugmug.com/
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The Lion and Turkey are off to a good start Nov. 9 for the 34th annual Turkey Trot 5K at Penn State New Kensington.