Runners take off at the start of the 47th annual Turkey Trot in City Park Thursday morning. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

From staff reports

PARKERSBURG – While some folks started Thanksgiving Thursday by cooking or watching the Macy’s parade, others got together for a frigid run or walk at a pair of local Turkey Trots.

Approximately 2,500 people participated in the 47th annual Turkey Trot in Parkersburg City Park.

The temperature was right around freezing when the 3-mile race that starts and ends by Bennett Stump Field in the park. The annual race is sponsored by the River City Runners and Walkers Club.

The top finishers were:

Many people participating in Thursday morning’s Turkey Trot in City Park sported festive headgear, including Parkersburg resident Kathleen Obara, front, and her daughter-in-law, Megan Obara, visiting from Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

MALE

* Breydon Gates, 16:14

* Daniel Lautzenheiser, 16:41

* Aiden Westerman, 17:09

* Justin Pate, 17:28

Runners in Thursday’s Turkey Trot turn from Park Avenue onto Washington Avenue during the race which began and ended in City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

* Michael Hammer, 17:56

FEMALE

* Jenny Brewer, 18:26

* Maggie Thiessen, 18:50

* Ava Lightfritz, 18:53

Belpre resident Breydon Gates crosses the finish line first at the 47th annual Turkey Trot Thursday in City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

* Marimo Akita, 19:42

* Tessa Weiss, 19:46

In Devola, the East Muskingum Civic Association held its annual Devola Turkey Trot 5K race Thursday morning as well.

St. Marys resident Jenny Brewer was the women’s winner of the 47th annual Turkey Troy Thursday in City Park. She entered for the first time in several years, registering at the last minute. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

From left, Turkey Troy first-place finishers Breydon Gates and Jenny Brewer pose with their winnings – a turkey apiece – after Thursday’s 3-mile race, alongside race director Sharon Marks of the River City Runners and Walkers Club and her granddaughter, Avery Cunningham. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

People take off from the starting line Thursday during the annual Devola Turkey Trot. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

People visit the registration table Thursday before the annual Devola Turkey Trot. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

Runners and walkers make their way down the course Thursday during the annual Devola Turkey Trot. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

Runners pose for a photo Thursday before the annual Devola Turkey Trot. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)