Thanksgiving Day run benefits Batavia food pantry

More than 2,600 runners - many in turkey hats - participated in the 18th annual The Fox and The Turkey Races Thanksgiving morning in Batavia.

The event, presented by the Fox River Trail Runners, a 4-mile run and a 1-mile Youth Run. Participants were encouraged to make a monetary donation or contribute nonperishable items for the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry.

Fox River Trail Runners president Tom Spadafora of Aurora estimated more than $5,000 was donated by runners and the club will make a matching donation. He said 225 of the 600-plus members came out for the holiday race and estimated there was about a 10 percent increase in participants from last year.

"It's a great opportunity for families to burn some calories before they go and replace them all," Spadafora said.

He said his favorite thing about the event is "Serving and giving the running community a fantastic, well-run race and promoting health and fitness. That's what our club is all about."

That sentiment was echoed by youth-mile winner Trevor Farbisz, 12, of Batavia.

"It was a blast. It was cold out, but it was worth it in the end," he said.