No losers in this race
<p>Vanessa Burt and Casey Figueroa push Aiden Figueroa while Saror Figueroa chases in the background at Thursday morning's Turkey Trot. More than 100 runners participated in the annual fun run at the Enaville Resort in Kingston. When the event began more than 20 years ago, between eight and 12 runners participated.</p>
<p>More than 100 racers participated in the annual Turkey Trot at the Enaville Resort in Kingston. When the event began more than 20 years ago, between eight and 12 runners participated.</p>
<p>Amy "Snail" Schaeffer, a displaced Missourian, triumphantly completes the Turkey Trot on Thursday. Many families and friends descent on the Silver Valley during the Thanksgiving holiday to participate in the fun run.</p>
ENAVILLE - More than 20 years ago, three avid Silver Valley runners formed a small running club, and ran together every holiday season. The run was an informal chance for the longtime friends to get together and keep in touch.
Now, with the help of Joe Peak and the Enaville Resort, that annual run has transformed into the Turkey Trot - a fun run every Thanksgiving morning on the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes. This year's edition saw more than 100 runners descend on the Silver Valley.
"Before the trail, we used to run to Albert's Landing, it wasn't too long and nobody had to miss out. Now it's a 2.5 mile round trip course, and you can go as far as you like," said Marthanne Geiser-Worley, one of the run's founding members with Chris Wellman and Terry Spohr. "When we were younger, we used to race. Really, it's just a fun way to get together. We have a die-hard following, and we welcome new people every year."
There are no losers in the fun run, only winners. After the race, a drawing was held and dozens of racers received small door prizes ranging from bottles of wine to baked goods. For everyone involved, the Turkey Trot offers an opportunity for old friends and family to re-acquaint and catch up.
"It's just good to see old friends and new friends. It's been a tradition over the years that we look forward to," Peak said. "They used to go from place to place, and I thought, we're closed two days a year, for Thanksgiving and Christmas, so why shouldn't they just meet here."
The race has grown substantially over the years. At the inaugural Turkey Trot at the Snake Pit, no more than a dozen people ran. The attendance has grown exponentially since, and only shows signs of getting bigger as the families of racers continue to birth the next generation of 'Turkey Trotters.'
"This gets some people to come back to the Valley for Thanksgiving, and it's good to meet friends that you haven't seen in some time," Peak said. "It's really nice because it brings families back, and now we're getting to the second generations. Some guys that ran are now bringing their children to run. It's a lot of families, with a lot of kids and a lot of grandkids. The event is a great family thing."
Geiser-Worley agreed, and said Wellman referred to the Turkey Trot as Christmas.
"It's all about seeing Joe and Rose Mary, and all the people that come back and bring new friends," she said. "Now we're starting to see grandchildren and children from people who ran 20 years ago."
Runners had the option of running however much or little of the course they chose to. Some mothers ran with their children in strollers, while others decided to just walk the course with their loved ones. Some chose to run the distance - including Ben Castro and some of the Kellogg cross country team - while still others walked a portion with close friends and hurried back for coffee and cinnamon rolls.
"It's all about having fun and the atmosphere," Peak said. "It also will burn a few calories so you don't feel bad when you're eating turkey later."