Generally speaking, a turkey trot is a short distance “fun run” that is held on or around Thanksgiving.
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Hosted by Gilpin County Parks & Recreation, the Turkey Trot was fun for the entire family.
Pushing a stroller around the course made for an even better workout.
This family enjoys the brisk November weather as they finish the Turkey Trot.
A black-and-white spaniel leads the way for this runner.
Though dressed apropriately, a Gilpin County resident and his dog may have over-trained for the race and were unable to participate.
This canine donned a turkey costume for the dog-friendly event.
An enthusiastic runner gives a thumbs up for the 3rd Annual Turkey Trot.
GILPIN COUNTY - Generally speaking, a turkey trot is a short distance “fun run” that is held on or around Thanksgiving.
The YMCA Buffalo Niagara Turkey Trot is the oldest continuous footrace in North America, established in 1896. Totaling just five entrants then, today it attracts 14,000. Spanning all 50 states, there are nearly a thousand turkey trots held annually in the US They raise millions of dollars in revenue each year for various charities.
On Saturday, November 29, at 10 a.m., turkey trotters gathered at the starting line of the 5K race at the Gilpin County Fairgrounds.
The first 60 runners to sign up received a commemorative beanie, which was nice since the temperature was 25 degrees, and cold 40-mile-per-hour wind gusts whipped up freshly-fallen snow. Once the bundled-up entrants began running, jogging, or walking, they had no problem keeping warm.
Some of the people dressed in costumes and a few of racers ran the course with their dogs accompanying them.
It was Daurice McMillan and her dog Maggie’s first time competing in a turkey trot. Kathy Davies of Boulder and a couple of friends from Kansas made the trip to take part in the event. Along with the Jayhawkers, Davies and her mini Aussiedoodle Hubert both completed the racecourse successfully.
Eagle River, Alaska, is where Debbie Momblow hails from. She negotiated the course with her daughter Dawn and grandchildren Larsen and Lila. It was their very first turkey trot.
Locals Ken Melies and his son Derrick were veterans in comparison, by virtue of competing in another turkey trot in Brighton the week before. Derrick would best his father by over 11 minutes on this day.
Hank Thompson took top honors gobbling up the five kilometers with a time of 24:21.9. Sara Wicen came in second, crossing the finish line in 26:27.2. Wicen was also the top woman finisher in Gilpin’s Spring Wined-Up 5K and Run for Sangria 5K held earlier in the year.
Derrick Melies came in third at 31:17.2, and Alex Kary took fourth place, in a time of 33:29.1. Closely contested, Eve Millis and Hanna Thompson were the next fastest women’s finishers with times of 35:30.5 and 35:31.7 respectively—good for sixth and seventh places.
Hot chocolate, coffee, and cookies were served before and after the race in the Community Center. Proceeds from the event were donated to the Gilpin County Youth Sports Program.
