WEBSTER, N.Y. — Thousands of runners participated in turkey trots across the area to make room for Thanksgiving dinner. For one man, the Webster Turkey Trot is more than just a race.
The Webster Turkey Trot has been a tradition for 54 years, with families gathering at Holt Road to run the 4.4-mile race. Robert Hendy shared his connection to the event.
“It was just always part of Thanksgiving. My mom still lives only a mile down the road so we would run the race every year and then go have turkey dinner,” Hendy said.
His wife Gretchen, participating for the first time, expressed her motivation for joining the race.
“I have been an observer of the Turkey Trot for about 20 years and this is my first time running it and it’s for him, because I know it’s so important for his family and tradition,” said Gretchen Hendy.
And the importance is a personal stop Robert Hendy makes during the race, right off the path.
“My dad started running in the early 1970s and this was one of the Webster races that he just absolutely loved,” Hendy said.
Hendy’s father loved the race so much that he wanted to be buried at the cemetery along the course.
“It was kind of a lighthearted statement, saying when it’s my time I want to be buried at Webster Union over right along the course. And then in 2013 he got sick and it got a little bit more like we realized we were going to have to make arrangements,” said Hendy.
Hendy’s father passed away in October 2014, followed by another family tragedy three months later.
“Our first daughter had Cerebral Palsy and she had complications from some surgery and she passed in 2015 three months after my dad died,” Hendy said.
So now, for Robert Hendy, the race is a reminder to keep moving forward.
“This is the curve to the cemetery, so I’ve run this maybe 40 times. You know you’re getting close to the finish, but more recently I know I’m getting close to my family who are down here up to the left,” said Hendy as I ran the race beside him.
He takes a pause during the race to honor his loved ones.
“I always step off. Just say a few words. Take a few moments for both my daughter and my dad. There’s years I get a little choked up. I’ll be honest with you,” Hendy said.
Gretchen Hendy reflected on the significance of the cemetery’s location.
“It’s really special. He chose to be at that cemetery so we could stop and see him along the turkey trot,” Gretchen Hendy said.
Caroline Hendy felt her grandfather’s presence during the race.
“It’s just cool to know because he was a runner too. I bet he’s cheering me on,” said Caroline Hendy.
For the Hendy family, Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful and remember those who can no longer run.
Running for his dad: Robert Hendy’s Thanksgiving Day tradition WHEC.com.
Hence then, the article about running for his dad robert hendy s thanksgiving day tradition was published today ( ) and is available on News10NBC ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Running for his dad: Robert Hendy’s Thanksgiving Day tradition )
Also on site :
- Makeup Artist Alexis Stone’s Jim Carrey Transformation Claim Divides the Internet
- Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Dominiq Ponder dies
- NASDAQ: CRWV: Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP Announces the Filing of a Securities Fraud Class Action Lawsuit Against CoreWeave, Inc. (CRWV)