Record turnout for Turkey Trot

BONNERS FERRY — Flocks of families in festive get-ups and layers took part in this year's Turkey Trot.

This year, 267 runners participated, a record number. Iron Mike’s gym had a team of 40 participates. Parents pushed strollers and kids ran beside their dads or moms. When the event began 13 years ago at the fairgrounds, only 50 people took part.

Carolyn Testa started the event 13 years ago because as a runner she missed doing a Turkey Trot every year. The event is free and participants were asked to bring a can of food for the food bank.

“And it is a feel-good, give-back-to-the-community day,” she said.

Food donations would typically fill five old barrels. Testa said one barrel of food would feed 10 families and the donations get larger every year. This year instead of barrels, donations filled the back of a truck.

Prizes for runners were donated by local merchants and businesses. Testa wanted to thank Super 1 Foods for generously selling her frozen turkeys, as prizes, at sale price. She also wanted to thank volunteers Jim Cadnum, Chet Savage, Don Jordan, Kathy Konek and Lauren Bartoe for their assistance and dedication to the trot.

Music was provided by Adam Reeves of Forerunner Entertainment.