Turkey Trot participation soars

Attendance and food donations reached an all-time high at the annual Bonners Ferry Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning.

Crates of donations to the Boundary County Food Bank completely filled the bed of a full-size pickup truck. Liz Bigsby-Sanborn, Bonners Ferry Community Action Partnership liaison, said the Turkey Trot is consistently one of the largest donations received by the food bank each year. 

And this year’s participant turnout surged from 388 in 2023 to 517 in 2024—an increase of nearly 33 percent. 

“This year we had 12 Costco pumpkin pies for our runners and walkers,” said Carolyn Birrell, race founder. “Last year we had 10, the year before we had eight, and the year before that we had six.” 

Before the race, Birrell addressed the hundreds gathered at the Boundary County Fairgrounds to commend community members for their generosity. She also said that the event was made possible by the volunteers: Kathy Konek, Don Jordon, Timmy and Jenny D., Denise Crichton and John Birrell. She also thanked Adam Reeves of Fore Runner Entertainment for bringing sound equipment to DJ. 

Though many took a leisurely walk or job, the Trot’s top runners showcased their competitive edge.

Micah Thompson, BFHS junior cross-country runner, opened the race with a 10-second head start as this year’s Tom the Turkey. But he was soon overtaken by junior tennis player Daniel Woelfle. 

“It took me a minute or less to catch him,” Woelfle said. “Micah was slower than a turkey.” 

After Thompson forfeited the turkey baster to Woelfle, Woelfle forfeited the race. He passed the baster over to his younger brother Gordon and returned to the starting line. 

“If I used all my energy in five seconds and didn't finish the 5k, I wouldn’t be taking trash,” Thompson said. 

Ultimately, Colton Cohen won the turkey baster, and with it a turkey. He finished in third place overall. 

“Slow and steady wins the race,” Cohen said.