13th annual Turkey Trot raised funds for food pantry, holiday meals
Trending
BELINGTON -- The Barbour County Health Association hosted the 13th Annual Belington Wellness Center Turkey Trot 5K Walk/Run in downtown Belington.
As in the past, all the proceeds collected from this event went to support the Heart and Hand House Food Pantry and the Belington Presbyterian Church's Thanksgiving Day Meal Program. In addition to the 5K race, there was also a 1-mile Fun Trot held after the 5K.
"We had a great turnout this year with close to 100 people taking part in the event," Kim Bolton, Barbour County Health Association wellness director, told The Inter-Mountain. "We had over 80 runners and then several others who came and did the Mile Walk… The Presbyterian Church feeds around 400 people on the day of Thanksgiving, so having a good turnout for the race is really going to help them out. It's pretty awesome."
The Heart and Hand House Food Pantry is located in Philippi. Its programs include the food pantry; a home repair and construction program; assistance with utilities, rent, and certain medical expenses; providing layettes for newborn babies; and a backpack feeding program for local school children.
Those competing in the Turkey Trot were also asked to bring non-perishable food items to the race.
"We always collect a lot of non-perishable items during the race," Bolton said. "(The Belington Presbyterian Church) feeds people on one Saturday every month as well, so the food we collect really helps out with that."
Some of the runners who competed in the race did so in festive costumes, many in some type of turkey attire. Awards were handed out to the top three men and women in each age category and everyone who signed up in advance received a free race t-shirt.
Scott Nesland was the first-place male and overall winner with a time of 17:36. The first-place women's winner was Haley Summerfield, who completed the race in 24:16. Summerfield's time was good enough for eighth overall.
The remainder of the Top 10 overall finishers were Jacob Burber (19:54), Brian Narog (21:30), Easton Ricotilli (21:33), Mason Schoonover (23:14), Grant Morgan (23:51), Ben Shaffer (23:56), Jose Aguiler (24:20), and Amber Vineyard (25:32).