14th annual Turkey Trot coming up Thanksgiving

Bonners Ferry is looking forward to another fun, family-friendly, and free Turkey Trot 5k/10k fun run this year on Thanksgiving morning Thursday, November 24. The run is, as always, free, with no registration required. Pets are welcome, too!

“This event started as our ‘Second Helping’ run for the day, and now that we’re in our 14th year, it’s become a tradition for lots of individuals and families," race founder Carolyn (Testa) Birrell said. "We’ve grown from 50 runners our first year to a record 267 last year and we collected about six full food barrels for our local food bank!"

The gun goes off promptly at 9 a.m. from the Boundary County Fairgrounds parking lot and leads runners down Riverside Road to the 5k turnaround past Mirror Lake Road. The 10k continues past the 5k turnaround and will be marked with cones. The water station is near the 5k turnaround.

“It’s a nice little out-and-back, and Jim Cadnum has generously measured out both distances with his running wheel,” Carolyn said. “Without our volunteers each year, there wouldn’t be an annual Turkey Trot. Talk about being thankful!”

There will be pumpkin pie with whipped cream, hot cocoa with marshmallows and coffee at the finish line, along with tons of prizes.

“We even have a few prizes for best costume!" Carolyn said. "Our local merchants are so generous every single year with their prize contributions and they’re still coming in.”

Be sure to arrive early enough to get your prize number and play our shout-out Turkey Trivia! There’ll be a burn barrel to keep warm and great music from the awesome sound system provided by Adam Reeves’ Forerunner Entertainment.

In the spirit of giving thanks, participants are asked to bring a non-perishable item of food for our local food bank. To learn more, call Carolyn Birrell at (208) 290-7039.

See you at the Turkey Trot!