BEVERLY — Runners and walkers work up an appetite at the annual Beverly Hills Turkey Trot. And this year, a hot meal awaits at the finish line.
A pancake breakfast will be prepared on Saturday in the gymnasium of Christ the King School at 9225 S. Hamilton Ave. in Beverly. The pancakes will be ready as soon as Turkey Trot runners and walkers finish the 5K loop.
The sixth-annual holiday race starts 9 a.m. at 92nd Street and Hamilton Avenue. Participants can register online or in person prior to the event. Preregistered runners can enter the race for $25 per person or $50 per family.
Runners and family walkers can also register on the day of the race for an additional $5 fee.
Packet pickup and pre-registration will be available from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday at Running Excels, 10328 S. Western Avenue in Beverly. Participants can also register and pick up their race T-shirt and gift bag from noon-5 p.m. on Friday at the 19th Ward Office at 10402 S. Western Ave. in Beverly.
The post-race pancakes are new this year. Tickets to the breakfast cost $5 per person or $25 per family. Both the pancakes and race are sponsored by the PrivateBank. You do not need to participate in the race to enjoy the breakfast.
Last year, some 800 runners jogged the tree-lined course, followed by roughly 400 walkers. The proceeds from the Turkey Trot will again benefit the John McNicholas Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and 19th Ward Youth Foundation.
John McNicholas, 15, of Beverly was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor on March 31, 2010. He died 10 months later. His mother, Amy McNicholas, started the foundation, also known as "Live Like John," to fund research on pediatric brain tumors.
Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th) said participation has increased annually. But he believes the number of runners and walkers will depend greatly on the forecast.
"If it's in the 40s and snowy, we will get a lot of people that send a check but won't run," he said.
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