THOUSANDS COME OUT TO ‘TROT’
Costumes, runners, smiles, nonprofits highlight Thanksgiving event
The temperatures dropped into the high 30s on Thursday morning in Fairfield, so what better way for thousands of people to warm up then with a nice 5K or 10K run?
Solano College hosted the 11th annual Solano Turkey Trot, once again put together by Fleet Feet Vacaville. The race benefited
Meals on Wheels Solano County and KROC Center Suisun City.
Once again, Race Director Carol Gilpin, who also owns Fleet Feet in Vacaville, helped put together the festive event filled with runners, some of them dressed up as turkeys or in other Thanksgiving-themed apparel. More than 2,000 people competed in the races in an event Gilpin said she began planning for six months ago.
More than 100 people volunteered to help at the race.
“It’s a great tradition to see a lot of families and friends,” Gilpin said. “This year we added some prize purses, so I think that attracted a lot of faster runners this year. We could not have done this without so much support from Medic Ambulance, NorthBay, Travis Credit Union, Caliber Collision and others.
“But what makes this day special is that,” Gilpin continued, pointing at an ecstatic young girl receiving a medal. “The look on that girl’s face as she gets her medal, the pure joy. That’s the best part as well as all the raising of the money to nonprofits in this area.”
Liz Teresi and John Divine, dressed as turkeys, were happy to have competed in the race. This was the first year they decided to dress up.
“This is our third time running, but we decided to go online and find some costume ideas for Thanksgiving,” Teresi said. “Just being out here in the brisk cold air and seeing everyone happy, it’s a real good way to start Thanksgiving.”
The best family costume winner went to the Ercole family — Teresa, Susie, Jordyn, Ariel, Nova and Steve, who went as a Macy’s Day
Parade. Nova was a Santa, Susie was decked in greeen and red, Ariel had a big Macy’s sign, while Teresa and Jordyn had big stars. With the win the family was scheduled to receive a gift certificate to Amici’s Pizza, a family pass to Vacaville Ice Skating and a gift certificate for a Tahoe Joe’s Cheesecake.
“It’s our fifth year doing this and as time has gone on our family has grown,” Teresa said. “It’s something that’s real fun to do. Last year we went as pumpkin pies but we didn’t win, so we decided to go all out this year. There was a lot of cardboard and crazy glue involved in the process.”
Nicole Nett ran the race with her dog, a 4-year-old boxer named Zoey.
“I’ve been to this race at least six times,” Nett said. “It’s a great way to come and support all the local nonprofits. Carol Gilpin does such an amazing job putting this together. It’s also good exercise and my dog loves it. This race isn’t about getting a PR (personal record time). It’s about getting together with friends.”
Although all participants received a medal and were guaranteed a long sleeve T-shirt, some runners did compete to win, especially with some of the prizes this year consisting of money. First place in the 5K and 10K races were awarded $300. Jordan Kurtz won the male 10 K race, while Simon
Stubbert, a 16-yearold who attends Rodriguez High, won the 5K male race with a time of 16 minutes, 59 seconds.
“I’ve been running this race for around five years and although I had finished in the top 3 a few times, I never finished first until today,” Stubbert said. “I wasn’t going for a PR, but I did want to place first. I love the course and how flat it is. Also, when you make the turn at the end and you see all your friends and family waiting for you, it can be very inspiring.”
Danielle Widenmann won the female 10K race, while Katarina Stashyn won the female 5K race.
Bronze sponsors for the event included Caliber Home Loans, Statewide Traffic Safety & Signs, Mizuno, 95.3, Republic Services and GV Smiles.