Runnin’ with Rani: 6th annual Turkey Trot 5K and Keiki Dash all for a worthy cause

Saturday’s 6th annual Turkey Trot 5K and Keiki Dash held at the beautiful Plantation Estate nestled within the Fairmont Orchid grounds proved to be another year of success as participants enjoyed clear skies and a fun, family-friendly running event making it a memorable day for everyone to support a worthy cause.

As in years past, all proceeds generated from the event benefited the Hawaii Island Food Bank, The Food Basket, whose mission is to end hunger on the Big Island. This year’s event witnessed a substantial increase in attendance in comparison to the previous year, reflecting the growing enthusiasm and support for The Food Basket’s mission along with the desire to live a healthy and active lifestyle.

“We’re thrilled to share that we have 35% more pre-registered participants for this year’s race compared to last year, so we anticipate the sixth annual Turkey Trot at Fairmont Orchid to be an even greater success,” said Celeste Tremblay, who is the director of catering and conference services for Fairmont Orchid and race director. “The growing enthusiasm is a testament to the community spirit this event has fostered over the years. We’re excited to welcome both returning and new participants to this annual race, which has become a true celebration of togetherness and healthy living.”

The 5K race turned out to be a lightning-fast competition among the top three finishers. Kailua-Kona’s Daniel Friebel, who placed second at the 100% Pure Kona Coffee Half Marathon two weeks ago, secured a decisive victory with an impressive time of 17 minutes and 34 seconds. Fighting for second place were Waikoloa’s Daniel Hill and Kealakehe High School cross-country standout, Archer Ankrum. Hill finished ahead in 17:52, with Ankrum right on his heels at 17:58.

In the women’s division, Claire McGowan, the reigning champion from Bend, Oregon, continued her dominance by clinching the top spot again with a remarkable time of 19:01. Holualoa’s Laura Ankrum also displayed her consistency by securing second place with a strong finish in 19:46, while Allison Newman from San Mateo, Calif., rounded out the women’s podium with her time of 23:29.

As for the Turkey Trot’s continued support to The Food Basket, Tremblay said, “This season of giving is a great reminder that it’s our kuleana (responsibility) to extend a helping hand to our neighbors in need. The Food Basket has offered a lifeline to families on Hawaii Island who may be facing economic hardship and we’re grateful for the opportunity to support the important work they’re doing in our community.”