On Thursday, Nov. 24, the annual Millersville Turkey Trot 5K will return to Biemesderfer Stadium, 45 Pucillo Drive, Millersville. A free kids' run will begin at 8:20 a.m., and the 5K will start at 9 a.m. Registration will be available online until Sunday, Nov. 20, and people may also register at the stadium on the day of the event between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m.

Each online registration will grant entry into a drawing for a one-week vacation to the Delaware shore. Additional prizes in the drawing will include gift cards and pumpkin pies, which will be given out after the race.

The kids' run will consist of two separate races on the stadium's track: a 100-meter run for younger children and a half-mile run for older children. Parents will have the option to participate in the kids' run alongside their children.

This year, the event will celebrate its 50th anniversary. The first Turkey Trot was held on the Sunday before Thanksgiving in 1973 and consisted of a 10-mile run that traveled along Route 999. The United States won the Olympic marathon the previous year, producing a wave of interest in running across the country; over 800 runners participated in the first Turkey Trot. "People were looking for a long run to participate in when the running boom started," said Tom Eckert, organizer of the Turkey Trot. "Marathons would attract thousands of people but were only held in larger cities such as New York and Philadelphia." Hosting a long race in Lancaster met the growing demand for distance races and allowed runners to participate without traveling for several hours.

In the late '70s, participation in the race dropped significantly, something Eckert attributed to runners getting older and desiring a shorter race. In 1978, the Turkey Trot transitioned from a 10-mile race to a 5K, and those who still wished to run a longer race traveled to Harrisburg and other cities. "We met different needs by changing it to a 5K, and it's worked well ever since," said Eckert. The race now attracts over 1,000 participants each year.

For many families, the Turkey Trot marks the beginning of their Thanksgiving holiday traditions. "We see so many families that come together to run and return home to have dinner afterwards," said Eckert. "This is the kickoff for their weekend. There are always a lot of smiles and frivolity; it makes the whole morning a great event."

For more information and to register for the Turkey Trot, visit http://www.millersvilleturkeytrot.com.