Burning calories before the big meal

Photos by Levi Bonnell Turkey Trot runners push off at the starting line as the starter’s pistol signals the beginning of the 9th annual run.

Photo by Levi Bonnell The 5k and 10k runs gave participants an excuse for early pie.

Sam Gorton crosses the finish line with large strides.

by Tanna Yeoumans Staff Writer
| November 30, 2017 12:00 AM

Photo by Levi Bonnell The 5k and 10k runs gave participants an excuse for early pie.

Sam Gorton crosses the finish line with large strides.

BONNERS FERRY — Members of Boundary County came together at the Boundary County Fairgrounds on Thanksgiving morning for the ninth annual Turkey Trot. With approximately 125 runners participating on the brisk Thursday morning of Nov. 23, the annual event brought a good excuse for participants to have pie for breakfast after running the 5K and 10K courses measured out by Jim Cadnum.

“Turkey Trot started as a fun run because I always attended one in Atlanta. As a runner, I missed that in Bonners Ferry,” said Carolyn Testa. “It was an easy decision to start one here. Since it was Thanksgiving, it was a perfect fit as a donation opportunity for our food bank and a nice way to give thanks by giving back to our community. Since then, it has developed into about five or six barrels of food each year.”

Far North Logo donated shirts with a donation to the food bank, raising $82 for the cause. Super 1 Foods offered discounts on frozen turkeys, pies, whipped cream, and hot cocoa for the event. KG&T Septic and Excavation company brought two porta potties, and Dr. Hank Willis donated a plethora of ‘healthy teeth’ goodie bags for prizes.

Race founders, Carolyn Testa and Robert Hanover, Cross Country Coach Tyler Warner, as well as many other volunteers helped to make the annual run Turkey-tastic. Ty Merril finished the race first.

“Without our volunteers this year, there wouldn’t have been a Ninth Annual Turkey Trot. Talk about being thankful,” exclaimed Testa. “A lot of the annual attendees will tell you this has become an annual event for them and their visiting family and friends on Thanksgiving morning.”

They made the run more fun with a game of Turkey Trivia before the race began as well as drawings for turkeys and other prizes that are donated.

“There’s always pumpkin pie with whipped cream and hot cocoa with marshmallows at the finish line,” said Testa. “And really really cool music, always that.”

Even though the race founders were out of town during the event, it didn’t stop them from giving back to the community and continuing to keep the Turkey Trot Fun Run an annual tradition for the residents of Boundary County.