Turkey Trot raises donations for Mineral County Food Bank

How many guests, on average, did Thanksgiving hosts expect to serve in 2023?

Eleven. That's according to a Lending Tree poll. 

What Thanksgiving side dish is the least popular among Americans? Green bean casserole. 

Roughly how many turkeys are consumed each Thanksgiving? About 45 to 46 million, according to the National Turkey Federation. And In 2023, which state raised the most turkeys? Minnesota.

Thanksgiving Day has become one of the biggest days for road races in the United States, with some 1 million people running a Turkey Trot.  The first Turkey Trot was established in 1896 in Buffalo, New York. A mere six runners showed up to participate.

The Turkey Trot in Chicago has held their 5k and 8k event for 45 years with around 44,000 runners. Manchester, Connecticut is one of the oldest runs in New England with a single course of 4.748 miles. Some 20,000 runners compete in the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot and the O’Side Turkey Trot is a scenic 5k or 10k along the ocean for San Diego runners. 

The Mineral County Rec Club’s 3rd Annual Turkey Trot route begins at the Mineral County Food Bank at 9:30 a.m., Thanksgiving morning with participants enjoying a 5k, or 3.1 miles if the metric system is still not being absorbed. 

“The entry fee is a non-perishable food donation or a monetary donation to the Community Food Bank,” explained Bessie Spangler. “Donations can be dropped off at the Trail West Bank (Superior and St. Regis) in advance or brought on the day of the trot,” she said reminding people to show up at least 15 minutes early. Spangler is the Mineral County Rec Club President and said that last year, approximately 140 people registered. “We collected 298 pounds of food and $1,600.00 in donations for the Food Bank.”  

The Town Pump will match any monetary donation through the month of November up to $9,000. 

The route begins and ends in the Mineral County Food Bank parking lot, 45 Mullan Road West in Superior. 

“Participants will take a left and stay on the road to about the 2-mile mark and then come back. There won’t be any water or snack stations but last year the food bank provided fry bread, hot cocoa, and coffee at the finish line.”  

This attracts serious runners, social walkers, adults, kids and well-behaved leashed dogs. 

“Many dress in turkey hats and other turkey related costumes. For many, it’s a time to visit with friends that young parents haven’t seen since school started.” 

Spangler shares the loose structure of the event. 

“It's a fun run/walk so we don't have a prize for a winner. We plan to hand out stickers again this year to all of the finishers. There have been local businesses in the past who have donated door prizes that each participant has a chance to win. Darlows Quality Foods has donated a couple of pies. Blackfoot Communications donated a cutting board. Scheels donated a few gift cards. St. Regis Gift Shop donated a huckleberry gift basket and cookies are from Riverside Soups & Sandz.”

Spangler also gives credit to first responders. 

“The Superior Volunteer Fire Department and the Mineral County Sheriff's Office have been a huge help with traffic control during the event. The Mineral County Health Department lets the club use their race clock, start and finish line as well as traffic cones and sandwich boards.” 

Participants can register in the parking lot the morning of the trot up to 9am or preregister on their website www.mcrecclub.org.

“We do this as a direct fundraiser for the Food Bank as the Rec Club doesn't benefit from it monetarily, only as a community benefit and fun event on Thanksgiving morning,” she smiled.

How many calories does the typical American consume on Thanksgiving Day? About 3,000.