More than 120 people huffed and puffed around Vashon for this year’s annual Turkey Trot.
Dozens of infants, toddlers and dogs gathered that foggy Thanksgiving Day morning to socialize, accompanied by their adult companions, before running or walking more than 2.5 miles through town and trails. Back in town, they caught up with family and friends and devoured a feast of cookies and hot cider.
Statisticians for the host, Vashon Running Club, estimated the dog-to-human ratio at 1 to 4, and also noted a large increase over prior years in the number of attendees under three feet tall — inspiring hope for preschool and kindergarten providers on the island.
A strong contingent from Oregon made their presence known at the run, but the furthest traveled was a family from Hawaii, who came specifically to take part in the Turkey Trot — with the added benefit of seeing their loved ones who live here, according to running club correspondents.
Also making their presence felt were present, past and future island cross country harriers who led the runners — the top three women were former Pirate captains Ella and Madeline Yarkin, followed by top Mustang (McMurray Middle School) runner Sadie Reissiger. The men were led by current Pirate Leif McBennett, who bested former Pirate captain Ursa Medeiros across the line.
Funds raised by the event will be divided evenly by Vashon XC, the booster club for cross country on the island, between the Mustang and Pirate teams.
Next up for holiday running and walking is the Jingle Bell fun run/walk, to start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 21, at the same location — the parking lot for the Vashon Recess Lab next to Voice of Vashon.
Funds raised at this event will be donated to the Vashon Community Scholarship Foundation, which passes out hundreds of scholarships to graduating Vashon students. The deadline for seniors to hand in their Scholarship Notebooks is January 9, 2025; the guide can be found at vashonscholarships.org.
Bruce Cyra is a distance runner, local race director, and former island cross country coach.
