Running for a cause ... and running for pie
Photos by MANDI BATEMAN Rain and cool temperatures couldn’t stop runners at the tenth annual Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 22.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN A bonfire in a trash can provided a place to warm up before the race.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN The participants didn’t let the dreary day keep them from turning out in record numbers.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN The runners brought enthusiasm as they rocketed off the start line during the Turkey Trot fun run.
There were several dogs that eagerly participated in the Turkey Trot.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN The day started off with frozen and slushy roads, as well as a cold, drizzling rain.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Jessica Tingley shows off her Turkey Trot logo design.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN There were many prizes for the runners of the tenth annual Turkey Trot.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Carolyn Testa working on the prize list.
BONNERS FERRY — Despite a cold rain that hovered on the edge of snow, roads slippery with ice and slush, 230 brave and dedicated people of all ages showed for the 10th annual fun, family-friendly and free Turkey Trot 5K/10K on Thanksgiving morning.
People jogged in place before the race and took turns hovering around a roaring fire in an old trash can, providing a spot to thaw cold fingers.
The Turkey Trot directly benefits the local Community Action Partnership, which provides assistance and food for those in need within Boundary County. On a day where families gather at tables spread with a festive feast, the people on the cold, rainy morning thought of the families that were unable to participate. Donations of food poured in, along with the record number of participants.
“That is what this is all about,” said organizer Carolyn Testa to the gathered crowd. “Just being thankful and being part of our community, and find a way to give back, just a little bit. You guys came out on a rainy day and we all appreciate it.”
All ages showed up to run, and even excited dogs on leashes joined in the herd of runners.
Among the runners was Bonners Ferry Police Chief Brian Zimmerman and his wife Roberta.
“My wife is a Turkey Trot runner, so she drags me to these all the time,” joked Zimmerman. “She is a marathoner, but I run all the time anyway.”
As the start time approached, Testa gathered all the runners around for some Turkey Trivia.
Testa started off the trivia with the first question, “Which president first established Thanksgiving as a legal holiday on the fourth Thursday of November?”
People enthusiastically joined in, shouting out the answer to that question (Abraham Lincoln) and the ones that followed, earning prizes for correct answers.
At 9 a.m., the runners set off, heading down Riverside Road. The large group quickly spread out as the hardcore runners took to the lead, and the casual participants walked with friends or family. Waiting for them at the end of the run were 12 pumpkin pies, whipped cream, five gallons of hot cocoa, and Jack’s Black coffee from Under the Sun.
Along with the donated foods, Jessica Tingley also designed unique tee shirts that were for sale.
“We are now going to be known as the home of the Quirky Turkey Tee, because every year you can count on a totally quirky turkey on your T-shirt,” said Testa. “The quirkier the better.”
Tingley has been volunteering with the Turkey Trot since she moved here in 2010, and enjoys coming up with different creative designs.
“The last couple years, Carolyn has been really gracious about letting me do what I want,” explained Tingley. “I have creative license. For the last three or four years I have donated shirts with the assistance of the owner of the Logo Shop. He lets me do it at cost on my own time.”
“I had somebody ask me why the turkey was surrounded by bombs,” said Tingley, pointing at the tail feathers of the turkey on the T-shirt. “I said those aren’t bombs! Those are shoes!”
An extra incentive for the runners was a large amount of donated prizes waiting for them at the end of the race.
“There are great prizes this year,” said Testa. “That is what our goal is going to be from now on. It is going to be a prize heavy race. That is our way of giving thanks back to the community, back to the people coming.”
At the end of the day, the Turkey Trot beat several records. With an original turnout of 50 people at the first race, the 230 runners were an all time high. Along with the record number of runners, they also gathered 591 pounds of food, as well as $385 in cash from the T-shirt sales.
“The Turkey Trot is really awesome,” said Community Engagement Liaison Liz Bigsby of Community Action Partnership. “We love these consistent food drives each year.”
For the people who volunteered their time, and the runners who braved the wet and icy weather, the Turkey Trot was more than just a way to enjoy a piece of pie before 10 a.m., it was a way to give back to the community — a way to celebrate Thanksgiving.