Thousands run in annual Turkey Trot at City Park
More than 3,000 runners and walkers gathered Thursday morning for the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot at City Park in Parkersburg. (Photo by Michael Erb)
Turkey Trot organizer Sharon Marks, center, stands with the winners of the 41st annual Turkey Trot at Parkersburg City Park. Sarah Biehl, left, was the women’s race winner with a time of 16 minutes and 50 seconds. Breydon Gates, right, was the men’s race winner with a time of 15 minutes and 20 seconds. Each received a fresh turkey for taking the top spots in their respective categories. (Photo by Michael Erb)
Four-year-old Grady Harrell swims through a pile of leaves at City Park in Parkersburg Thursday while waiting for the start of the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. (Photo by Michael Erb)
Two-year old Dax Douglass is bundled up as he enjoys his first time at the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot at City Park in Parkersburg. (Photo by Michael Erb)
One of the dogs at Thursday’s Turkey Trot at Parkersburg City Park. (Photo by Michael Erb)
More than 3,000 runners and walkers gathered Thursday morning for the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot at City Park in Parkersburg. (Photo by Michael Erb)
Turkey Trot organizer Sharon Marks, center, stands with the winners of the 41st annual Turkey Trot at Parkersburg City Park. Sarah Biehl, left, was the women’s race winner with a time of 16 minutes and 50 seconds. Breydon Gates, right, was the men’s race winner with a time of 15 minutes and 20 seconds. Each received a fresh turkey for taking the top spots in their respective categories. (Photo by Michael Erb)
Four-year-old Grady Harrell swims through a pile of leaves at City Park in Parkersburg Thursday while waiting for the start of the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. (Photo by Michael Erb)
Two-year old Dax Douglass is bundled up as he enjoys his first time at the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot at City Park in Parkersburg. (Photo by Michael Erb)
One of the dogs at Thursday’s Turkey Trot at Parkersburg City Park. (Photo by Michael Erb)
Trending
PARKERSBURG -- Thousands of runners, walkers and four-legged friends kicked off Thanksgiving Thursday with a run around the park as part of the 41st annual Turkey Trot.
Officials estimate about 3,000 people gathered Thanksgiving morning at City Park in Parkersburg to participate in the annual race. Runners of all ages -- seniors, students and kids in strollers -- participated, some in costumes.
More than 150 canines also participated in the event, with some wearing their own sweaters and costumes.
Event coordinator Sharon Marks said about 2,400 people preregistered for the event, but estimated more than 3,000 people attended the event.
Sarah Biehl was the women's race winner with a time of 16 minutes and 50 seconds. Breydon Gates was the men's race winner with a time of 15 minutes and 20 seconds. Each received a fresh turkey for taking the top spots in their respective category.
This marked the fifth year Biehl has competed and won in the Parkersburg Turkey Trot.
Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce welcomed runners and fired the starter pistol to kick off the race.
"It's a great event," he said. "It just seems to grow every year."
Joyce said while the race is popular among families and community members, it also draws runners from other states.
"I've got friends in from New York City that are participating today. (Others from) Arizona, Seattle, Washington … it is just a great event," he said. "The only thing that seems to hurt this event is if it is raining."
Temperatures hovered in the upper 30s with light winds and no rain.
"The weather looks great," said event coordinator Sharon Marks. "It's a little cooler than yesterday, but no rain, no wind."
Marks said the race could not happen without the support of the community, race sponsors, volunteers and the City of Parkersburg.
"This is what City Park is for," Joyce said. "We're happy to have them."