More than 400 trotters participate in Thanksgiving event

The season of giving got off to a running start on Thursday as more than 400 Turkey trotters and a lot of dogs at Minden Park participated in a benefit for the Carson Valley Community Food Closet and Douglas Animal Welfare Group.

With 65 sign-ups on the morning of the run and a good 350 already registered, organizers got their Thanksgiving wish for a good turnout on a frosty morning.

Around another 50 people had signed up for the virtual run, which has been open for more than two weeks.

Damonte Ranch High School senior Jacob Vanblaricom and Vader the German shepherd came down from Reno to visit grandparents John and Linda Hamer and do a little running.

“It’s going to be good day,” he said. “Just getting a little early jog session in for Thanksgiving. I’m happy to be here.”

Deanna Coats’ two big poodles Duke and Jax were ready to run on Thursday.

“Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays and why not start it with a nice little run and burn some calories before all the good food we’re going to eat,” Coats said, as the two dogs tugged at their leashes.

Douglas Animal Welfare Group President Lori Paxson said the turnout was close to the 2018 total of around 500 participants.

Runners gathered at the starting gate, located on Mono Avenue near 6^th Street in Minden and took off promptly at 9 a.m.

Carson Valley Food Closet board member and Johnson Lane weather watcher Don McRoberts was amazed at the turnout.

“You couldn’t ask for better weather, that’s for sure,” said McRoberts, who knows a little bit about Carson Valley’s climate.

The roads around Minden Park were closed on Thursday for the run. Runners made their way down Mono and then back around to the park.

The 28^th annual Share Your Christmas Drive-by Food Drive is 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Carson Valley Inn.

Hosted by Channel 2 News, the event allows residents to drop off nonperishable food or donations without getting out of their vehicle.

For those who do want to get out, there will be music and Santa has been known to fly in on CareFlight.

For more information, visit www.thefoodcloset.org.