web1_30606790205_93e528bc36_b-1-.jpg

West Pittston native assigned to work presidential inauguration

web1_Cowboys-Redskins-Thanks.jpg

Dallas Cowboys take down Redskins for 1oth straight win

<p>FORTY FORT &#8212; An annual Thanksgiving run in this West Side borough gives participants a chance to burn calories even before consuming their hearty holiday meals.</p><p>Beyond that, many of the more than 300 runners in the third annual five-mile Turkey Trot said the event is becoming a family tradition.</p><p>Many participants sport a bit of holiday color, if not holiday-themed costumes. Viewers along the route get in the spirit, too, with some pulling on turkey, Pilgrim or elf-like headwear, and holiday sweaters.</p><p>Joining the runners this year were a number of dogs of all breeds, happy, it seemed, to be spending time outdoors amid the holiday-spirited crowd.</p><p>Tim Hlivia, owner of event sponsor Leverage Fitness, said the fitness center historically had opened its doors to those who wanted to work out on Thanksgiving morning.</p><p>&#8220;And then we had the idea that if people were working out, perhaps we could also raise money for a good cause,&#8221; he said, &#8220;as well as bringing members of the community together.&#8221;</p><p>In the spirit of the holiday, the business is donating part of the proceeds to the Wyoming Valley Children&#8217;s Association.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s just the right thing to do,&#8221; Hlivia said.</p><p>Mayor Andy Tuzinski agrees. Although the mayor doesn&#8217;t run in the race, he participates by directing traffic, encouraging participation, and smiling at everyone who crosses his path.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a great day for Forty Fort,&#8221; he said.</p><p>Sisters Kim Segiel, of Covington Township, and Kris Danilovitz, Moosic, said they had run together since they were &#8220;12 or 13 years old.&#8221;</p><p>Segiel, who was hosting Thanksgiving dinner later in the day and was headed home to check on her turkey shortly after finishing the race, said she appreciated the race&#8217;s distance.</p><p>&#8220;Most races are 5ks, just a bit over 3 miles,&#8221; she said. &#8220;This was a little bit longer, and I like that.&#8221;</p><p>Although rain and sleet fell for brief periods during the race, both sisters said they had been intent on running and completing the race, and didn&#8217;t think the weather impacted their finishing times.</p><p>&#8220;I&#8217;m a rower at school,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I just run as a way to unwind. I wasn&#8217;t looking to be the fastest runner.&#8221;</p><p>Denise Cunningham, the general manager of Leverage Fitness and an event organizer, said participation has continued to grow every year, attracting people of all ages and from many areas. &#8220;One of this year&#8217;s runners came down from Ontario,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Spent the night at a local hotel and is running today.&#8221;</p><p>Corinne Conyngham, Shavertown, was visiting from the University of Pittsburgh to share the holiday with her family. The race, she said, made the trip home extra special.</p><p>Tom Temperine waited for his daughter, Nadine Solomon, to finish the race with his granddaughter, Kadence.</p><p>Temperine, who said he was a runner for many years, said his daughter shared his passion for running. &#8220;And,&#8221; he said, smiling. &#8220;She&#8217;ll be able to eat whatever she wants for the rest of the day.&#8221;</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_TTL112516turkeytrot1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Runners in the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot five-mile run in Forty Fort on Thursday included Kathy Martin, Fran Martin, Bill Martin and Andreas Gagliard, and their dog Auggie. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_TTL112516turkeytrot1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Runners in the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot five-mile run in Forty Fort on Thursday included Kathy Martin, Fran Martin, Bill Martin and Andreas Gagliard, and their dog Auggie. </caption0><photoCredit0>Clark Van Orden | For Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_TTL112516turkeytrot2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Dressed as a Christmas elf, Shavertown resident Brenda Sharp covers a five-mile course Thursday during Forty Fort&#8217;s annual &#8216;Turkey Trot.&#8217; </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_TTL112516turkeytrot2.jpg</photo1><caption1>Dressed as a Christmas elf, Shavertown resident Brenda Sharp covers a five-mile course Thursday during Forty Fort&#8217;s annual &#8216;Turkey Trot.&#8217; </caption1><photoCredit1>Clark Van Orden | For Times Leader </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_TTL112516turkeytrot3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Sarah Klaeroth, of West Pittston, wore a turkey hat reflecting her Thanksgiving spirit. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_TTL112516turkeytrot3.jpg</photo2><caption2>Sarah Klaeroth, of West Pittston, wore a turkey hat reflecting her Thanksgiving spirit. </caption2><photoCredit2>Clark Van Orden | For Times Leader </photoCredit2></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Annual Turkey Trot becoming a family tradition in Forty Fort