SEQUIM — A woman from Alaska sped to victory in this town’s first Turkey Trot, the snowy, icy fundraiser held Thanksgiving morning.
Lisa Preston, now of Sequim, finished the 5-kilometer race in 26 minutes and 36 seconds, leading a field of 40 women.
“She’s very sure-footed,” organizer Kristin LaMoure said, adding delight with the turnout for the 9 a.m. trot.
Twenty-six men also took part in the race on the Olympic Discovery Trail just outside Sequim, with Nate Dressel of Seattle taking first place with a finishing time of 20 minutes, 11 seconds.
The Turkey Trot, a benefit for the Port Angeles and Sequim food banks, attracted nearly 70 people, despite the fact that much of the trail, running west from Railroad Bridge Park to Carlsborg Road, was cloaked in soft snow, and at least one part was coated with slippery ice.
Cash, food donated
The event raised about $700, LaMoure said; runners also brought nonperishable food items to donate.
Some brought their dogs to the run, too, and gave thanks to LaMoure for putting on a race where pets were allowed.
She decided just three weeks before Thanksgiving to do the Turkey Trot, and was undeterred by the snowstorms that started Nov. 22, three days before the holiday.
“I fully expect to triple our numbers next year,” LaMoure added Monday.
She considers the Turkey Trot an ideal Thanksgiving-morning activity.
“It has the potential to raise thousands for local food banks, families and even pets can participate together, it provides a fun way to burn some of the extra calories we usually eat during the holidays,” she said, “and when visitors come from out of town, it provides a way to introduce them to one of the beautiful locations in our town.”
Hot cider
Another thing runners enjoyed: the hot apple cider at the end of the race.
“We’ll definitely do that in the future,” LaMoure said, adding that the Dungeness River Audubon Center staff helped by coming out on Thanksgiving to turn on the power so she could warm up the beverage.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3550 or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.