Ken Konicek
Ken Konicek, of Pinedale, was the first runner across the finish line. Bob Rule, KPIN 101.1FM Radio.
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2009 Pinedale Turkey Trot 5000
211 registered turkey trotters
by Craig Sheppard
November 26, 2009
The nineteenth running of the Pinedale Turkey Trot was another huge success. The 15 degrees starting temperature did not discourage the 211 registered turkey trotters from having a great time. The scene was almost exactly the same as last year – clear cloudless skies with the backdrop of the Wind River Mountains treating the participants to spectacular views.
This event has turned into a very popular start to many family’s Thanksgiving Day, with the Sheppard’s neighborhood filled with cars and people. This year we had trotters from eight different states (Colorado, Montana, Iowa, Washington, Texas, Utah, Ohio and Wyoming). We even had Luressa Smith from Austin, Texas enjoying our balmy Thanksgiving morning. Laura Barrett, who recently moved here from Florida, told me she was hoping there would be a Turkey Trot in Pinedale for she had participated in races on Thanksgiving morning before. I am sure both of these young ladies were wondering about our temperatures for our local race. Actually this race was 30 degrees warmer than our coldest race in the past.
Even though this is a fun run/walk/bike, we would like to recognize some of the first arrivals at the finish line. Mike Davis on a bike with daughters Reagan (3) and Grace (6) in the bike trailer came in first in a time of 14:40. I believe Mike spent the entire year tuning up the trailer getting ready for this event. I think he needs to invest in a bigger trailer for next year after seeing how packed in the girls were. Ken Konicek was our first runner in (19:54) followed by Rylie Egle and Abby Williams on bicycles in a time of 19:56. Rounding out the male running division was Jordan Vanna (21:14) and Kirk Thomas of Salt Lake (21:36). The female division was won by Laura Vasquez (22:18) followed by Laura Barrett (22:37).
We are really excited about the increase in enthusiasm for this event, but with it brings some organizational headaches. With the Head Turkey getting old and fat, he isn’t back until almost half of the participants have finished. He once came in 7th but this year was lucky to get 77th. The real boss-Ellen, who is not too fond of cold temperatures is balking at waiting outside so long taking names and times for him. When we first started, we knew everyone and actually printed everyone’s names in our paper articles. With last year and this year’s participants being over 200 we definitely can’t put everyone’s names in the article. Matter of fact, we do not know the names of all finishers, so we hope this article is accurate. But we know all of the participants are definitely winners for getting up and out into our great fresh air. What better way to burn off the calories looming in the Pinedale households.
We hope they all had a good time and will be coming back next year. You know it is not too late to start getting in shape for the 20th Annual Pinedale Turkey Trot which will be held at the Sheppard’s at 9AM on Thanksgiving morning 2010.
Photos by Bob Rule, KPIN 101.1 FM Radio
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