By Carla O’Day
The 18th annual Scheels Turkey Trot 10K and 2 mile run/walk took place Thursday morning at Scheels All Sports as participants braved the chilly weather.
The timed 10K (6.2-mile), course used city streets and a local bike path. The untimed 2-miler started at Scheels and circled around Sparks Marina Park.
Race director Tanja Ramociotti, a recreation specialist with the city of Sparks, said the event drew more than 1,700 entrants, about 1,000 of them being 10K runners, which is a few dozen less than last year.
“We’ve had a little of a drop in participation because the city of Reno offers one at the same time and Carson City has one,” Ramociotti said.
Reno’s 2nd annual Wobble Before You Gobble 10K and 5K run and walk started and ended at City Plaza. Carson City’s event took place at the Governor’s Mansion and consisted of an 8K, 5K and 1-mile contests.
Nevertheless, the Turkey Trot continues to be a staple in Sparks.
“People like it because it’s become a family tradition,” Ramociotti said.
Temperatures were in the low to mid 20s by the 8:30 a.m. start, prompting many people to wait in their vehicles until a few minutes before the event began.
Participants received a commemorative long-sleeved blue souvenir shirt and post-race fruit and refreshments.
Zachary Hunt, 22, of Sparks, took first place in the 10K at 34:20, averaging 5:32 per mile. Romana Sanchez, 39, of Sparks, was the top female at 37:40, averaging 6:04 per mile.
Partial proceeds from entry fees, which ranged from $25 for early entry to $60 just prior to the event, went to Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful for local projects and the City of Sparks Youth Scholarship Fund.
For more information and race results, visit http://cityofsparks.us/visiting/special-events/scheels-turkey-trot.
