Troy officials gathered at Ryan’s Wake Public House to officially launch the countdown to the 79th Pioneer Troy Turkey Trot, with Mayor Carmella Mantello calling it the city’s biggest draw of the year. The mayor said she’s hoping this year’s race tops last year’s $40,000 fundraising total, and if it does, the Salvation Army will be added as a third beneficiary alongside the event’s existing charities.
“It’s certainly our biggest signature event,” Mantello said at the kickoff, according to the Troy Record. She also called the Thanksgiving Day race “one of my favorite events,” and estimated this year’s race will draw more than 7,000 participants and over 10,000 spectators lining the route through the Collar City. Mantello even proclaimed that Turkey Trot participants will have their Thanksgiving calories waived — a lighthearted nod to the tradition of working off the holiday feast before sitting down to it.
A Rebrand Years in the Making
This year’s race carries a new name: the Pioneer Troy Turkey Trot, reflecting Pioneer Bank’s role as presenting sponsor. The bank has backed the race since 1995, making this its 30th year of sponsorship, according to NEWS10. Schuyler Bull, Pioneer Bank’s vice president and director of marketing and communications, said the bank accepted the invitation to become the event’s first signature sponsor this year.
Event director Josh Merlis, who founded the Albany Running Exchange — an organization the station reports has more than 1,000 members — is running the show for the second consecutive year. The rebrand follows a period of turbulence for the race tied to fraud allegations against a former director, though organizers are now focused squarely on building the event back up under its new name and sponsorship structure.
Fundraising Contest Adds Stakes to Race Day
Beyond the run itself, organizers are leaning into a fundraising contest designed to boost charitable giving. The top individual and team fundraisers will be invited to the post-race charity check presentation and will receive free entry into the 2027 Pioneer Troy Turkey Trot, according to details posted by the Pioneer Troy Turkey Trot. The top two fundraising individuals and teams will each get to designate someone to join Mantello and other special guests onstage to sound the starting air horn.
Race organizers will also accept nonperishable food and personal care product donations on race day itself, adding another avenue for community giving beyond the fundraising contest. Last year, the race contributed what organizers called a record $40,000 to local nonprofits, plus more than $5,000 to school groups — though a separate recap posted by the same race organization described 2025 proceeds differently, citing $20,000 raised collectively for the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and Joseph’s House & Shelter. Unity House of Troy was also named as an additional beneficiary last year.
Packet Pickup Moves to RPI Gym
Runners can skip race-day lines by picking up their packets at the RPI Athletic Village Gymnasium, with sessions scheduled for Sunday, November 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and again Wednesday, November 25, from 3 to 7 p.m. Organizers said the RPI setup worked well last year, giving participants more time to collect materials while encouraging socializing and community engagement before the race. Packet pickup will still be available on race day itself for those who can’t make either session.
The Sunday session will also feature a race-preparation talk, a shoe demonstration, and a group run, with Emily Taft giving the talk on how to get ready for race day. The Pioneer Troy Turkey Trot includes a 5K, a 10K, a Grade School Mile, and a Turkey Walk, giving runners of all ages and ability levels a way to take part. Registration remains open for anyone hoping to join the Thanksgiving morning tradition.
Where the Money Goes
Organizers say this year’s race supports Joseph’s House and Shelter, which provides shelter for people in need, and the Regional Food Bank, which has said donations help it serve more than 50,000 Thanksgiving meals to area families. If fundraising clears last year’s total, the Salvation Army’s inclusion as a third beneficiary would expand that circle of support even further heading into the holiday season.
