Annual J. Barry Dwyer Turkey Trot 5K Race set for Sat., November 21

Annual J. Barry Dwyer Turkey Trot 5K Race set for Sat., November 21

The 12th annual J. Barry Dwyer Red Devil Turkey Trot 5K Road Race is set to take place on Saturday morning, November 21, at Chelsea Stadium at 10 a.m.

The event will feature a 400 meter Kids Fun Run around the track at Chelsea Stadium, a 3K walk, and a 5K run through the streets of Chelsea, starting and ending at Chelsea Stadium.

The race has been permanently renamed in honor of the late J. Barry Dwyer, a beloved fixture of both the Chelsea community and the high school track and cross-country programs. Dwyer led the boys CHS cross-country program of the 1970s and 1980s to several Greater Boston League championships, earning the program recognition as one of the greatest dynasties in the history of Chelsea High School sports, including a dual-meet winning streak of 35 meets.

Dwyer stayed active with local high school track and cross country long after his retirement and is missed dearly by not only the Chelsea community, but by the entire Greater Boston track community and beyond.

Proceeds from this race will help fund the J. Barry Dwyer Memorial Scholarship, which is given annually to a Chelsea High School cross country or track & field athlete who exemplifies what Barry stood for — excellence in sport, character, and leadership.

Proceeds will additionally help fund the Chelsea High School Track & Field, and Cross-Country programs.

The course is a USATF-certified 5K with chip timing provided by Mercury Timing. The course is mostly flat with a mild hill on the way out and back. The start and finish are on the track at the Chelsea Memorial Stadium at Chelsea High School, 299 Everett Ave. The course begins on the track and heads south on Everett Avenue and then turns left onto Carter Street. The course then takes an immediate right onto Beech Street, then a left onto Spruce Street. The course continues down Spruce Street, then a right onto Washington Street and continues onto Cary Avenue. The course then goes left on Broadway to Webster Avenue. The course turns left on Webster and then left onto Clarke Ave. back to Cary Ave and follows the same path back to the stadium.

The Kids Fun Run will begin at 9:45 with the 5K Run and 3K Walk starting at 10:00. The awards ceremony will take place at 10:45.

Registration fees are $30 for the 5K Run, $25 for the 3K Walk, and free for the Kids 400 meter Fun Run. The first 75 signups will receive a free T-shirt. Sign-ups online may be made through raceroster.com. Sign-ups also are available on the morning of the race beginning at 8:30. Bib and T–shirt pick-up also opens at 8:30. Overall/age group/team medals will be awarded in the 5K race.

For further information contact Justin Turner at justin.taylor.turner@gmail.com.

Historic Holiday Strolls Kick-Off Nov. 20 ON THE FREEDOM TRAIL

As the Freedom Trail celebrates 75 years, the Freedom Trail Foundation invites revelers of all ages to experience this year’s Historic Holiday Strolls. The festive atmosphere of the city, set against the unique backdrop of Boston’s historic sites and centuries of history, makes these merry 60-minute tours a perfect way to enjoy the holiday season. Walk the Freedom Trail and discover how Boston’s holiday traditions evolved on the Strolls offered Fridays and Saturdays at 3:30 p.m. from November 20 through December 26 (excluding Christmas Day, Friday, December 25).

Led by 19th-century Dickensian costumed guides departing from the Visitor Information Center on Boston Common, the Strolls are complete with a tour of holiday lights and Christmas trees along the Freedom Trail and the history of 19th-century holiday traditions. Following the Stroll, guests receive discounts off museum store purchases at Freedom Trail sites, including Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Paul Revere House, and Old North Church’s Heritage and Gift Shops (valid with any Historic Holiday Stroll receipt from November through December).

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children for public tours may be purchased at the Boston Common Visitor Information Center or on-line at TheFreedomTrail.org. Strolls may also be scheduled as private group tours pending availability. The Freedom Trail Foundation continues to offer daily public Official Freedom Trail Tours® throughout November and December and during the winter months. All Freedom Trail Foundation tour offerings are available as private family or group tours by reservation. For more information, please visit TheFreedomTrail.org and to schedule group tours, please call 617-357-8300 press “0.”