Annual Turkey Trot fights hunger – Gig Harbor Now

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Dinosaurs, turkeys and tutus were among the colorfully styled ensembles runners sported as they gobbled up the road competing in the Gig Harbor Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning.

Now an annual tradition, the Turkey Trot began in 2002 with just 15 friends, family and patients of Dr. Tim Holmes, an area chiropractor.

Today, more than 3,000 runners, young and old, show up not just to race but to fight hunger. Runners are encouraged to donate at least two canned goods before the race. This is in addition to a registration fee, with proceeds supporting area food banks and local high schools’ college scholarships.

According to Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank, food donations from the race weighed in at more than 2,900 pounds. An additional more than 2,000 pounds were donated to Food Backpacks 4 Kids.

“Our numbers (need) are up,” said FISH’s Sigguros Welborn.

The food bank purchases $15,000 to $20,000 food a month. While the need is always great for food donations, Welborn said the organization’s top priority now is collecting donations for its annual holiday gift drive. Gift ideas for teenagers include gift cards from retailers such as Target, Coles, Hops n Drops, Amazon, or Starbucks.

Food banks weren’t the only winners at the Gig Harbor Turkey Trot. Gig Harbor High School’s running alumnae took first. The overall winner among women was 31-year-old Maureen Tremblay of Corvallis, Oregon. The 2011 Gig Harbor High School grad came in at 18:34.

Maureen Tremblay won the women’s race at the 2023 Turkey Trot. Photo by Julie Warrick Ammann

Tyler Campbell, 19, claimed the top spot for men with a time of 15:25. The 2023 Gig Harbor High School grad competes on the cross country and track teams at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs.

Click here for race results.

Donations for FISH’s holiday gift drive can be made through Dec. 15, but preferably by Dec. 8.