On Saturday, Nov. 19, the Bowlby Library hosted its 6th annual 5K Turkey Trot event to help fundraise for the library.

People of all ages were invited to participate in the festivities. Children, teenagers and adults could all be seen in the different races, and refreshments were provided to all. Though, this year, there was a new type of race added.

“This year, we have a brand new pet parade,” Kathy McClure, the executive director of the Bowlby Library, said. 

According to her, the planning for the 5K Turkey Trot begins several months prior in June.

“Our first step is to go get sponsors to sponsor the event,” McClure said. “Then we start the online registrations, and then we have registrations the day of the event as well.”

Once the planning is complete, all that is left is for members of the surrounding area to show up and participate. This year, the number of people in attendance was high.

“This is our best year ever,” McClure said. She went on to say that 181 people registered for the event, with about 10 more registering the day of. She also said that people from Uniontown and “the further reaches of Washington County” were in attendance, not just Greene County residents. 

The day started off with the children’s 1K “Fun Run,” and shortly after, the 5K walk began. After the walkers were about halfway through the course, the 5K run started. The course spanned through the local neighborhood of Greene County, with parts of it going through Waynesburg University. 

According to the event page, the event was held to fulfill the library’s mission, “to provide through the use of traditional and emerging technologies, materials and services for community residents of all ages for Literacy, Information, Fun, and Enrichment.”

The event ended in the gazebo next to the library, where the winners of each respective race got their prizes. 

“I love to see all of our patrons coming in, and people who aren’t even our patrons,” McClure said. “So it’s really exciting to see all these people in here and enjoying the library and enjoying the event.”