For many Glen Cove residents, Thanksgiving begins not around the dinner table, but on the streets of their hometown, where hundreds of runners and walkers gather for a holiday tradition that has combined exercise, community spirit and charitable giving for over 10 years.
The Glen Cove Education Foundation will host its annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk on Thursday, Nov. 26, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Glen Cove High School. The rain-or-shine event raises money to support educational programs and improvements throughout the Glen Cove City School District.
The event typically attracts between 300 and 400 participants, according to Glen Cove Education Foundation President Danielle Fugazy Scagliola, who also serves on the Glen Cove City Council. She emphasized that the race welcomes people of all ages and athletic abilities.
“It raises money for the Glen Cove School District,” Fugazy Scagliola said. “And it is family friendly. Everybody shows up and we encourage participants. Some people walk, some people run. People do all kinds of things.”
While experienced runners compete for their fastest times, others participate simply to enjoy the holiday atmosphere, often arriving in festive costumes.
“Some people come dressed like turkeys,” Fugazy Scagliola said. “Of course, we get some serious runners, but it’s mainly families who just come out for fun on the day, before they get with their family and eat a big meal.”
Among those returning to the starting line is Philip Dilgard-Clark, a 2024 Glen Cove High School graduate who now attends Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where he continues to compete in cross-country running.
Dilgard-Clark, who previously ran cross-country for Glen Cove High School, has participated in Turkey Trot since it began. Having finished second in the past four races and previously claimed first place, he admits that the event brings out his competitive side.
“It was always kind of a great way to end off the season by getting a good fast time in and having a good time,” Dilgard-Clark said.
For him, however, the experience extends well beyond crossing the finish line.
“I think there’s something really special about running, and especially about a run like this, where we’re running on the streets of Glen Cove,” he said.
As runners navigate the course, residents often gather outside their homes to encourage participants. Dilgard-Clark particularly enjoys passing familiar faces along Old Tappan Road, where friends cheer him on.
“Whether you’re coming in first or last, you’ve showed up and you’re trying your best,” he said. “I think that makes people excited to see other people.”
Supporting the education foundation also carries personal significance for Dilgard-Clark, who credits the district with providing opportunities during his school years.
“I graduated from the school district, they gave us a lot of support,” he said. “I think it’s good to give back.”
Carla Dilgard shares that enthusiasm and has made Thanksgiving morning races a tradition for more than two decades.
Having participated in turkey trots since college, Dilgard said she is particularly grateful that Glen Cove hosts its own event, allowing her family to celebrate the holiday alongside neighbors and friends.
She also brings a festive touch to the occasion, dressing in a tutu and turkey-themed accessories while encouraging her husband and daughter to wear holiday hats.
“It’s nice to see your neighbors,” Dilgard said. “I’m so happy that Glen Cove has its own.”
For Dilgard, the scenic course, which passes through residential neighborhoods and near Pryibil Beach, is another reason to return each year.
She said the race provides an opportunity to connect with people she might not otherwise encounter during a holiday typically reserved for family gatherings.
“On Thanksgiving, it’s such a beautiful day to run and be grateful,” she said. “It’s a day of thanks, and it’s nice to get out there and really just get to see friends.”
Beyond the holiday festivities, the Turkey Trot supports the Glen Cove Education Foundation’s mission of enriching students’ educational experiences. The nonprofit has helped fund school improvements, extracurricular activities and educational resources across the district.
Among its contributions, the foundation has provided flexible classroom seating to create more adaptable learning environments for students. In 2024, it also donated $25,000 toward a grand piano for the Glen Cove High School and another $25,000 toward a new scoreboard for the high school’s turf field. The projects reflect the foundation’s efforts to support classroom learning, performing arts and athletics through community fundraising.
“It’s a lovely tradition,” Dilgard said. “I’m so happy that we have it in Glen Cove.”
The race begins at 9:30 a.m. at Glen Cove High School, 150 Dosoris Lane. Registration closes at 9:10 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. Additional information and registration are available at events.elitefeats.com/26glencove.
