Turkey Trot provides family adventure

The Nelson family of Kennewick wanted to do something special for this year’s Thanksgiving morning Turkey Trot. So all six of them wore hats resembling fully cooked turkeys.

“It’s a great bonding experience,” said daughter Eryn, who added a T-shirt resembling a bikini to her wardrobe.

The family said that the event, which benefits the American Red Cross, is worth dealing with a 25-degree temperature at the start of the 5-kilometer race, along with a 15-degree wind chill. They’ve run in the event for several years, but decided to do a theme for the first time.

“It’s a great cause,” said mother Ronelle. “It gets us outside Thanksgiving morning. It’s a family tradition.”

Many of the more than 3,000 participants in the 12th annual Turkey Trot at Columbia Park opted for more traditional running gear. But some did a Thanksgiving version of cosplay.

Micheal Smith of Richland is part of a group of eight people who came as pilgrims to the event. He said they’ve been dressing this way for five or six years.

“It’s not a real race, so it’s fun,” he said. “I like to bring smiles to people’s faces.”

The Baynes and Courtade family of Richland and Pendleton might have topped them all, racing while dressed as a full Thanksgiving dinner. Patrick Baynes came as gravy, Katee Baynes was the turkey, Nancy Baynes was broccoli, Shelly Courtade was mashed potatoes, John Courtade was dressed as a box of stuffing, while kids Penelope, 6, and Juniper, 3, dressed as pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce, respectively.

The costumes were Shelly’s idea, Patrick said.

“It’s something to do on Thanksgiving day,” he said. “It helps you build up an appetite.”

The Turkey Trot also included a 1-mile race. Many of the runners and walkers had fun with the event, but the help it provides the American Red Cross’ Central and Southeastern chapter is important, said Executive Director Peggy Hoggarth.

She estimated that it will raise $60,000.

“It’s our biggest fundraiser,” she said.

The event begins a naming rights partnership with Gesa Credit Union this year. Hoggarth said the credit union covers all the costs of putting on the event, which allows the Red Cross to keep the proceeds.

“We feel it’s a better use of money,” she said.

This story was originally published November 26, 2015 at 4:20 PM with the headline "Turkey Trot provides family adventure."