Hundreds turn out for Whitefish event

The drizzle eased, the temperature topped 50 and a piece of rainbow gleamed behind the North Valley Food Bank as participants gathered for the eighth annual Whitefish Turkey Trot.

In four years running the event, race director Jessie Pappenfus said they were the best conditions she had ever seen. But participants are “always excited to be there, regardless of the weather.”

Communities across America walked, ran, and raised money for worthy causes in Turkey Trots this Thanksgiving. The Whitefish event drew 394 registered participants, 21 volunteers and cash and canned food donations for the North Valley Food Bank.

“The Turkey Trot is a great event,” the food bank’s Executive Director SueAnn Grogan-King told the Daily Inter Lake. “It is absolutely the biggest.”

Pappenfus predicted the race would raise about $1,500 for the Food Bank, through registration fees and additional donations. Grogan-King put the value slightly higher, at $2,000.

“$2,000 is enough to purchase fresh produce for maybe 600 people for three months,” Grogan-King said.

She explained that Turkey Trot funds could also aid more targeted outreach — for instance, providing protein drinks to the elderly and disabled residents who receive food bank deliveries.

“Special funding like this allows us to pay attention to what people need and get it to them,” she explained, thanking the Third Street Market for supporting the event.

Participants ranged from leisurely walkers — many with dogs or strollers — to serious runners. Grogan-King said that, in previous years, the latter group could shave time off their cards by bringing donations.

But now, runners’ times are decided on the course.

That wasn’t lost on the race’s winners. Anthony Schmalz finished the 5K loop through Whitefish in just 16 minutes and 24 seconds. His sister Jaycie was the fastest female, coming in at 20 minutes and 4 seconds. Both received $50 gift certificates to Third Street Market.

Both run track and cross country at Montana State University. They had come to the Flathead Valley for Thanksgiving and decided to run the race.

Anthony, 22, and Jaycie, 19, said they liked the course’s mix of uphills and downhills.

“It was just a pretty scenic course, too,” Anthony said. “Whitefish is really beautiful. I think that was probably the best part, being here under the big sky.”

For a complete list of participants and times, visit http://competitivetiming.com/turkey/. To learn about, support, or request help from the North Valley Food Bank, visit http://www.northvalleyfoodbank.org/.

Reporter Patrick Reilly can be reached at (406) 758-4407 or preilly@dailyinterlake.com.