A total of 217 parishioners and friends of St. Pius X Parish in Broomall came out for the second annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28. It included a 5K run as well as a one-mile run and walk on Sussex Blvd. and surrounding streets.
Prevailing as the overall winner of the 5K race was Zachary Fellman, a student at St. Pius X School, who finished in 19:58.
“I just felt like it would be a great way to support my school,” said Fellman. “It was awesome to place high in it.”
Zachary Fellman was the overall winner of the 5K race with a time of 19:58. (Photo: Dan McCarty)
Garrett Hager (20:01) and Grace Mancini (20:08) placed second and third.
“It was really a fun time out there,” said Mancini. “The course was great. The community, the atmosphere was awesome. It was a lot of fun.”
All proceeds from the day benefit St. Pius X School.
While last year’s race took place on the Saturday prior to Halloween, St. Pius X’s leadership — including Msgr. William Kaufman, pastor; Sister Kate Touey, IHM, principal; Ashley Murrin, school parent and physical education teacher; and Brendan McMahon, school parent — decided to switch the date and set the tone for a larger event.
One week prior to race day, a total of 170 people were already signed up, more than triple the number of participants from 2023.
“We swapped it out,” said Murrin. “We got a good response. Moving forward, it’s working out for us.”
Organizing the run was a family affair for Murrin and her husband, Bill, and sister-in-law, Chrissy, who served as master of ceremonies and giving every runner words of encouragement as they crossed the finish line.
The Murrin children took part, too: Taylor, Chase, Jordyn and Jake.
“I had to come back and support my school and support my family who helped run it,” said Taylor Murrin.
McMahon’s wife, Jen, and the rest of their crew — Abby, Olivia, Sean and Ella — were also involved in planning the morning.
“I just happened to be part of this event,” said Chrissy Murrin. “I give a big shout out to the McMahon family and Bill and Ashley Murrin and family. A lot went into this. It’s really grown a lot since last year. We’re just happy anytime the community can come together and support an event such as this.”
The sun did not shine on Thursday morning. So, all runners, walkers, volunteers, and spectators did in fact have to dodge some raindrops. That did not dampen their spirits, however, as they all came out and made a difference for their parish community.
“Rain or shine, this is a testament to what St. Pius and what the community is all about regardless of the weather,” said Chrissy Murrin. “We come together to celebrate.”
“We are so excited about how it is has grown from the first to the second year,” said Jen McMahon. “We’re hoping next year, we’ll grow even more with no rain.”
The Turkey Trot was not the only opportunity for members of St. Pius X to celebrate Thanksgiving as a community. They also participated in the Marple Newtown Clergy Association’s annual interfaith service traditionally held on the Tuesday night before Thanksgiving Day.
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