Sugar House turkey-day tradition stays on track for 41st year

For more than 40 years, residents have spent the Saturday before Thanksgiving on the run in the annual Sugar House Turkey Trot.

This year, about 30 dedicated runners and walkers took laps around a 2K or 5K course, marked out with orange cones in Fairmont Park. Participants had the opportunity to win prizes, win awards for the fastest race times and taste samples of smoked turkey provided by Norbest.

The race was organized this year by Fairmont Aquatic Center and sponsored by the Sugar House Merchants Association.

Fairmont Aquatic Center Program Coordinator Rob Bridge said cold weather may have kept away all but the most dedicated participants, but it was still a beautiful day.

“I thought it was a pretty good race this year,” Bridge said.

The top three male and female runners with the fastest 5K race times received cash prizes. First place runners were awarded $75 each, $50 for second place and $25 for coming in third.

In the men’s category, Brandon Kirby took first place with a time of 20 minutes 12 seconds; David Zuniga ran the course in 22 minutes 5 seconds for second place; and Darin Beane came in third place at 23 minutes 20 seconds.

Bridge said the race was a holiday tradition for many participants. He said the top female runner this year was a regular at the pre-Thanksgiving race.

“She came back and defended her title,” Bridge said.

For the second year in a row, Sonja Heuscher was the first woman to cross the finish line after running the race in 22 minutes 2 seconds.

Sarah Woolsey placed second with a time of 32 minutes 59 seconds. Tammy Henry took third place in 38 minutes 52 seconds.

Bridge said the annual Turkey Trot was a fun way for the community to start the holiday season. He said the race was meant to encourage good health and fitness.

“We want people to get out and be active,” Bridge said.