Opinion
The Gardner Scene: The 39th Greater Gardner Turkey Trot
Thanksgiving Day 1980 marked the start of a couple of important local traditions.
It was the year the Gardner-Oakmont football rivalry first began, but that same morning was the start of another long-standing event in the area.
The first Gardner-to-Baldwinville Turkey Trot road race was held, taking over for the previous Gardner Knights of Columbus road race, which had been held on Veterans Day in year’s past.
That first race in 1980 attracted only a handful of runners, most of them present and former members of the Narragansett cross-country team. Winners that year were Dave Landry in the men’s race, while Sue Bennett was the first woman to cross the finish line. Top finishers were awarded turkeys as a prize, while pumpkin pies were also awarded to participants.
Over the years, the numbers increased to an all-time high of 459 participants in 2015. Last year’s race attracted 387 runners.
Eventually, the brisk walker category was also added with more than 100 participants. For a brief time in the early 1980s, the United Way took over the race and it was held on a course beginning at Mount Wachusett Community College.
During that span in 1983, former Gardner High cross-country star Rick Doiron recorded the fastest time in 24:18. However, that course was a bit shorter than the present one that is run, beginning at the rear of City Hall Annex on Knowlton Street.
The city of Gardner has painted an official start line on the road there.
The route then proceeds into Lafayette Square, down West Street on Route 68 and into Baldwinville, ending at the American Legion post.
In 1995, the race route was reversed from Baldwinville to Gardner
with Tim Blouin capturing that, running with a time of 25:50. It was one
of five such Turkey Trots won by Blouin, the race’s all-time male
leader. Former Narragansett harrier Brad Schlapak is second among most
championships with four. Sean Duncan and Scott Leslie have won three
each.
On the women’s side, there is likely no one who will catch Amanda (Dahlberg) Kourtz who has won a total of nine races, including seven straight from 2006-2012. Jessica Anderson was a three-time winner from 2013-15.
In the Gardner-to-Baldwinville race, Duncan has recorded the fastest time with a 24:25 in 2011. Kourtz also owns the women’s race record with a time of 28:42, set in 2009.
This Thanksgiving Day, the 39th annual Turkey Trot will begin with the brisk walkers taking off at 8:10 a.m., while the runners will depart at 8:30.
Race packet and bib pickup will be conducted on Wednesday, Nov. 21, at Gardner City Hall’s Perry Auditorium between 5-7 p.m. Participants must have a photo ID to pick up their bib.
The local running group G-Vegas Striders took over directing the race in 2014, and the following year brought on Garlock Printing & Converting as the title sponsor for the event.
Red Apple Farm continues on as the Age Group and Overall Winner Sponsor by donating fresh apple pies to winners.
“It is a great partnership and one I hope we can continue in future
years,” said race director Jim Hunt, who got the G-Vegas Striders
started in 2014.
He also noted that overall winners and age group winners will get a certificate of completion with their winning time on it, which is a new addition this year.
Wilson Bus Line will continue to provide for transporting runners’ bags to the finish line, as well as taking runners back to the start.
As usual, the race is held as a benefit for the Gardner High School and Narragansett Regional High School cross-country and track teams, as well as the Greater Gardner CAC Food Pantry.
For more information on the race, visit gvegasstriders.org or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GVegasStriders/.
Thanks to prior race lists and coverage in the local press, the winners of just about every year have been determined. However, there are a couple of years where the category winners are unknown.
The committee would like to determine the men’s and women’s winners from 1984, as well as the women’s winner from 1985 and 1988. Anyone with information is asked to contact Hunt.
Here is the partial list of all past winners of the men’s and women’s races:
Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Road Race
Past men’s and women’s Winners
1980 Dave Landry (26:47) Sue Bennett
1981 Kyle Bujnicki (26:48) Linda Dennis (31:10)
1982 Kyle Bujnicki (27:07) Debbie Greenslit (32:12)
1983 Rick Doiron (24:19) Lisa Kidwell (30:44)
1984 unknown unknown
1985 Brad Schlapak (26:05) unknown
1986 Steve O’Connell (25:01) Lisa Kidwell (32:42)
1987 Brad Schlapak (25:08) Bridget Kidwell (30:54)
1988 Brad Schlapak (24:53) unknown
1989 Tim Blouin (25:45) Heidi Graves (32:33)
1990 Bill Forbes (26:15) Jennifer Guggenheim (32:50)
1991 Roger Nasatka (26:07) Carol Addy (32:20)
1992 Roger Nasatka (25:48) Bonnie Davis (32:37)
1993 Rich Marion (24:59) Bonnie Davis (31:44)
1994 Brad Schlapak (26:00) Pat Dalconzo (30:41)
1995 Tim Blouin (25:50) Pat Dalconzo (30:20)
1996 Rich Marion (26:02) Carolyn Finch (30:26)
1997 Tim Blouin (28:09) Karen Palmer (33:43)
1998 Tim Blouin (25:47) Carolyn Finch (31:05)
1999 Nate Jenkins (25:27) Sarah Pierce (33:04)
2000 Nate Jenkins (26:02) Marisa Clapp (31:48)
2001 Tim Blouin (27:01) Kelly Heroux (31:34)
2002 Brad Fors (27:15) Amanda Dahlberg (33:48)
2003 Jon Korhonen (26:16) Amanda Dahlberg (32:19)
2004 Tim Glover (27:55) Bridgette Flick (32:53)
2005 Scott Leslie (28:41) Kristine Gagnon (33:46)
2006 Josh Boone (26:01) Amanda Kourtz (30:35)
2007 Jon Korhonen (26:19) Amanda Kourtz (30:24)
2008 Sean Duncan (24:49) Amanda Kourtz (29:16)
2009 Josh Boone (24:58) Amanda Kourtz (28:42)
2010 Matt Spano (26:06) Amanda Kourtz (29:58)
2011 Sean Duncan (24:25) Amanda Kourtz (29:08)
2012 Sean Duncan (24:45) Amanda Kourtz (29:10)
2013 Chris Greenlee (28:11) Jessica Anderson (31:55)
2014 Scott Leslie (26:31) Jessica Anderson (30:48)
2015 Scott Leslie (25:55) Jessica Anderson (31:39)
2016 Jake Hastings (25:37) Caitlin Difava (31:42)
2017 Jake Hastings (26:31) Caitlin Difava (31:46)
Comments and suggestions for The Gardner Scene can be sent to Mike Richard at mikerichard0725@gmail.com or in writing to Mike Richard, 92 Boardley Road, Sandwich, MA 02563.
It was the year the Gardner-Oakmont football rivalry first began, but that same morning was the start of another long-standing event in the area.
The first Gardner-to-Baldwinville Turkey Trot road race was held, taking over for the previous Gardner Knights of Columbus road race, which had been held on Veterans Day in year’s past.
That first race in 1980 attracted only a handful of runners, most of them present and former members of the Narragansett cross-country team. Winners that year were Dave Landry in the men’s race, while Sue Bennett was the first woman to cross the finish line. Top finishers were awarded turkeys as a prize, while pumpkin pies were also awarded to participants.
Over the years, the numbers increased to an all-time high of 459 participants in 2015. Last year’s race attracted 387 runners.
Eventually, the brisk walker category was also added with more than 100 participants. For a brief time in the early 1980s, the United Way took over the race and it was held on a course beginning at Mount Wachusett Community College.
During that span in 1983, former Gardner High cross-country star Rick Doiron recorded the fastest time in 24:18. However, that course was a bit shorter than the present one that is run, beginning at the rear of City Hall Annex on Knowlton Street.
The city of Gardner has painted an official start line on the road there.
The route then proceeds into Lafayette Square, down West Street on Route 68 and into Baldwinville, ending at the American Legion post.
On the women’s side, there is likely no one who will catch Amanda (Dahlberg) Kourtz who has won a total of nine races, including seven straight from 2006-2012. Jessica Anderson was a three-time winner from 2013-15.
In the Gardner-to-Baldwinville race, Duncan has recorded the fastest time with a 24:25 in 2011. Kourtz also owns the women’s race record with a time of 28:42, set in 2009.
This Thanksgiving Day, the 39th annual Turkey Trot will begin with the brisk walkers taking off at 8:10 a.m., while the runners will depart at 8:30.
Race packet and bib pickup will be conducted on Wednesday, Nov. 21, at Gardner City Hall’s Perry Auditorium between 5-7 p.m. Participants must have a photo ID to pick up their bib.
The local running group G-Vegas Striders took over directing the race in 2014, and the following year brought on Garlock Printing & Converting as the title sponsor for the event.
Red Apple Farm continues on as the Age Group and Overall Winner Sponsor by donating fresh apple pies to winners.
He also noted that overall winners and age group winners will get a certificate of completion with their winning time on it, which is a new addition this year.
Wilson Bus Line will continue to provide for transporting runners’ bags to the finish line, as well as taking runners back to the start.
As usual, the race is held as a benefit for the Gardner High School and Narragansett Regional High School cross-country and track teams, as well as the Greater Gardner CAC Food Pantry.
For more information on the race, visit gvegasstriders.org or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GVegasStriders/.
Thanks to prior race lists and coverage in the local press, the winners of just about every year have been determined. However, there are a couple of years where the category winners are unknown.
The committee would like to determine the men’s and women’s winners from 1984, as well as the women’s winner from 1985 and 1988. Anyone with information is asked to contact Hunt.
Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Road Race
Past men’s and women’s Winners
1980 Dave Landry (26:47) Sue Bennett
1981 Kyle Bujnicki (26:48) Linda Dennis (31:10)
1982 Kyle Bujnicki (27:07) Debbie Greenslit (32:12)
1983 Rick Doiron (24:19) Lisa Kidwell (30:44)
1985 Brad Schlapak (26:05) unknown
1986 Steve O’Connell (25:01) Lisa Kidwell (32:42)
1987 Brad Schlapak (25:08) Bridget Kidwell (30:54)
1988 Brad Schlapak (24:53) unknown
1989 Tim Blouin (25:45) Heidi Graves (32:33)
1990 Bill Forbes (26:15) Jennifer Guggenheim (32:50)
1992 Roger Nasatka (25:48) Bonnie Davis (32:37)
1993 Rich Marion (24:59) Bonnie Davis (31:44)
1994 Brad Schlapak (26:00) Pat Dalconzo (30:41)
1995 Tim Blouin (25:50) Pat Dalconzo (30:20)
1996 Rich Marion (26:02) Carolyn Finch (30:26)
1997 Tim Blouin (28:09) Karen Palmer (33:43)
1999 Nate Jenkins (25:27) Sarah Pierce (33:04)
2000 Nate Jenkins (26:02) Marisa Clapp (31:48)
2001 Tim Blouin (27:01) Kelly Heroux (31:34)
2002 Brad Fors (27:15) Amanda Dahlberg (33:48)
2003 Jon Korhonen (26:16) Amanda Dahlberg (32:19)
2004 Tim Glover (27:55) Bridgette Flick (32:53)
2006 Josh Boone (26:01) Amanda Kourtz (30:35)
2007 Jon Korhonen (26:19) Amanda Kourtz (30:24)
2008 Sean Duncan (24:49) Amanda Kourtz (29:16)
2009 Josh Boone (24:58) Amanda Kourtz (28:42)
2010 Matt Spano (26:06) Amanda Kourtz (29:58)
2011 Sean Duncan (24:25) Amanda Kourtz (29:08)
2013 Chris Greenlee (28:11) Jessica Anderson (31:55)
2014 Scott Leslie (26:31) Jessica Anderson (30:48)
2015 Scott Leslie (25:55) Jessica Anderson (31:39)
2016 Jake Hastings (25:37) Caitlin Difava (31:42)
2017 Jake Hastings (26:31) Caitlin Difava (31:46)
Comments and suggestions for The Gardner Scene can be sent to Mike Richard at mikerichard0725@gmail.com or in writing to Mike Richard, 92 Boardley Road, Sandwich, MA 02563.
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Thanksgiving Day 1980 marked the start of a couple of important local traditions.
It was the year the Gardner-Oakmont football rivalry first began, but that same morning was the start of another long-standing event in the area.
The first Gardner-to-Baldwinville Turkey Trot road race was held, taking over for the previous Gardner Knights of Columbus road race, which had been held on Veterans Day in year’s past.
That first race in 1980 attracted only a handful of runners, most of them present and former members of the Narragansett cross-country team. Winners that year were Dave Landry in the men’s race, while Sue Bennett was the first woman to cross the finish line. Top finishers were awarded turkeys as a prize, while pumpkin pies were also awarded to participants.
Over the years, the numbers increased to an all-time high of 459 participants in 2015. Last year’s race attracted 387 runners.
Eventually, the brisk walker category was also added with more than 100 participants. For a brief time in the early 1980s, the United Way took over the race and it was held on a course beginning at Mount Wachusett Community College.
During that span in 1983, former Gardner High cross-country star Rick Doiron recorded the fastest time in 24:18. However, that course was a bit shorter than the present one that is run, beginning at the rear of City Hall Annex on Knowlton Street.
The city of Gardner has painted an official start line on the road there.
The route then proceeds into Lafayette Square, down West Street on Route 68 and into Baldwinville, ending at the American Legion post.
In 1995, the race route was reversed from Baldwinville to Gardner
with Tim Blouin capturing that, running with a time of 25:50. It was one
of five such Turkey Trots won by Blouin, the race’s all-time male
leader. Former Narragansett harrier Brad Schlapak is second among most
championships with four. Sean Duncan and Scott Leslie have won three
each.
On the women’s side, there is likely no one who will catch Amanda (Dahlberg) Kourtz who has won a total of nine races, including seven straight from 2006-2012. Jessica Anderson was a three-time winner from 2013-15.
In the Gardner-to-Baldwinville race, Duncan has recorded the fastest time with a 24:25 in 2011. Kourtz also owns the women’s race record with a time of 28:42, set in 2009.
This Thanksgiving Day, the 39th annual Turkey Trot will begin with the brisk walkers taking off at 8:10 a.m., while the runners will depart at 8:30.
Race packet and bib pickup will be conducted on Wednesday, Nov. 21, at Gardner City Hall’s Perry Auditorium between 5-7 p.m. Participants must have a photo ID to pick up their bib.
The local running group G-Vegas Striders took over directing the race in 2014, and the following year brought on Garlock Printing & Converting as the title sponsor for the event.
Red Apple Farm continues on as the Age Group and Overall Winner Sponsor by donating fresh apple pies to winners.
“It is a great partnership and one I hope we can continue in future
years,” said race director Jim Hunt, who got the G-Vegas Striders
started in 2014.
He also noted that overall winners and age group winners will get a certificate of completion with their winning time on it, which is a new addition this year.
Wilson Bus Line will continue to provide for transporting runners’ bags to the finish line, as well as taking runners back to the start.
As usual, the race is held as a benefit for the Gardner High School and Narragansett Regional High School cross-country and track teams, as well as the Greater Gardner CAC Food Pantry.
For more information on the race, visit gvegasstriders.org or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GVegasStriders/.
Thanks to prior race lists and coverage in the local press, the winners of just about every year have been determined. However, there are a couple of years where the category winners are unknown.
The committee would like to determine the men’s and women’s winners from 1984, as well as the women’s winner from 1985 and 1988. Anyone with information is asked to contact Hunt.
Here is the partial list of all past winners of the men’s and women’s races:
Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Road Race
Past men’s and women’s Winners
1980 Dave Landry (26:47) Sue Bennett
1981 Kyle Bujnicki (26:48) Linda Dennis (31:10)
1982 Kyle Bujnicki (27:07) Debbie Greenslit (32:12)
1983 Rick Doiron (24:19) Lisa Kidwell (30:44)
1984 unknown unknown
1985 Brad Schlapak (26:05) unknown
1986 Steve O’Connell (25:01) Lisa Kidwell (32:42)
1987 Brad Schlapak (25:08) Bridget Kidwell (30:54)
1988 Brad Schlapak (24:53) unknown
1989 Tim Blouin (25:45) Heidi Graves (32:33)
1990 Bill Forbes (26:15) Jennifer Guggenheim (32:50)
1991 Roger Nasatka (26:07) Carol Addy (32:20)
1992 Roger Nasatka (25:48) Bonnie Davis (32:37)
1993 Rich Marion (24:59) Bonnie Davis (31:44)
1994 Brad Schlapak (26:00) Pat Dalconzo (30:41)
1995 Tim Blouin (25:50) Pat Dalconzo (30:20)
1996 Rich Marion (26:02) Carolyn Finch (30:26)
1997 Tim Blouin (28:09) Karen Palmer (33:43)
1998 Tim Blouin (25:47) Carolyn Finch (31:05)
1999 Nate Jenkins (25:27) Sarah Pierce (33:04)
2000 Nate Jenkins (26:02) Marisa Clapp (31:48)
2001 Tim Blouin (27:01) Kelly Heroux (31:34)
2002 Brad Fors (27:15) Amanda Dahlberg (33:48)
2003 Jon Korhonen (26:16) Amanda Dahlberg (32:19)
2004 Tim Glover (27:55) Bridgette Flick (32:53)
2005 Scott Leslie (28:41) Kristine Gagnon (33:46)
2006 Josh Boone (26:01) Amanda Kourtz (30:35)
2007 Jon Korhonen (26:19) Amanda Kourtz (30:24)
2008 Sean Duncan (24:49) Amanda Kourtz (29:16)
2009 Josh Boone (24:58) Amanda Kourtz (28:42)
2010 Matt Spano (26:06) Amanda Kourtz (29:58)
2011 Sean Duncan (24:25) Amanda Kourtz (29:08)
2012 Sean Duncan (24:45) Amanda Kourtz (29:10)
2013 Chris Greenlee (28:11) Jessica Anderson (31:55)
2014 Scott Leslie (26:31) Jessica Anderson (30:48)
2015 Scott Leslie (25:55) Jessica Anderson (31:39)
2016 Jake Hastings (25:37) Caitlin Difava (31:42)
2017 Jake Hastings (26:31) Caitlin Difava (31:46)
Comments and suggestions for The Gardner Scene can be sent to Mike Richard at mikerichard0725@gmail.com or in writing to Mike Richard, 92 Boardley Road, Sandwich, MA 02563.
It was the year the Gardner-Oakmont football rivalry first began, but that same morning was the start of another long-standing event in the area.
The first Gardner-to-Baldwinville Turkey Trot road race was held, taking over for the previous Gardner Knights of Columbus road race, which had been held on Veterans Day in year’s past.
That first race in 1980 attracted only a handful of runners, most of them present and former members of the Narragansett cross-country team. Winners that year were Dave Landry in the men’s race, while Sue Bennett was the first woman to cross the finish line. Top finishers were awarded turkeys as a prize, while pumpkin pies were also awarded to participants.
Over the years, the numbers increased to an all-time high of 459 participants in 2015. Last year’s race attracted 387 runners.
Eventually, the brisk walker category was also added with more than 100 participants. For a brief time in the early 1980s, the United Way took over the race and it was held on a course beginning at Mount Wachusett Community College.
During that span in 1983, former Gardner High cross-country star Rick Doiron recorded the fastest time in 24:18. However, that course was a bit shorter than the present one that is run, beginning at the rear of City Hall Annex on Knowlton Street.
The city of Gardner has painted an official start line on the road there.
The route then proceeds into Lafayette Square, down West Street on Route 68 and into Baldwinville, ending at the American Legion post.
On the women’s side, there is likely no one who will catch Amanda (Dahlberg) Kourtz who has won a total of nine races, including seven straight from 2006-2012. Jessica Anderson was a three-time winner from 2013-15.
In the Gardner-to-Baldwinville race, Duncan has recorded the fastest time with a 24:25 in 2011. Kourtz also owns the women’s race record with a time of 28:42, set in 2009.
This Thanksgiving Day, the 39th annual Turkey Trot will begin with the brisk walkers taking off at 8:10 a.m., while the runners will depart at 8:30.
Race packet and bib pickup will be conducted on Wednesday, Nov. 21, at Gardner City Hall’s Perry Auditorium between 5-7 p.m. Participants must have a photo ID to pick up their bib.
The local running group G-Vegas Striders took over directing the race in 2014, and the following year brought on Garlock Printing & Converting as the title sponsor for the event.
Red Apple Farm continues on as the Age Group and Overall Winner Sponsor by donating fresh apple pies to winners.
He also noted that overall winners and age group winners will get a certificate of completion with their winning time on it, which is a new addition this year.
Wilson Bus Line will continue to provide for transporting runners’ bags to the finish line, as well as taking runners back to the start.
As usual, the race is held as a benefit for the Gardner High School and Narragansett Regional High School cross-country and track teams, as well as the Greater Gardner CAC Food Pantry.
For more information on the race, visit gvegasstriders.org or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GVegasStriders/.
Thanks to prior race lists and coverage in the local press, the winners of just about every year have been determined. However, there are a couple of years where the category winners are unknown.
The committee would like to determine the men’s and women’s winners from 1984, as well as the women’s winner from 1985 and 1988. Anyone with information is asked to contact Hunt.
Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Road Race
Past men’s and women’s Winners
1980 Dave Landry (26:47) Sue Bennett
1981 Kyle Bujnicki (26:48) Linda Dennis (31:10)
1982 Kyle Bujnicki (27:07) Debbie Greenslit (32:12)
1983 Rick Doiron (24:19) Lisa Kidwell (30:44)
1985 Brad Schlapak (26:05) unknown
1986 Steve O’Connell (25:01) Lisa Kidwell (32:42)
1987 Brad Schlapak (25:08) Bridget Kidwell (30:54)
1988 Brad Schlapak (24:53) unknown
1989 Tim Blouin (25:45) Heidi Graves (32:33)
1990 Bill Forbes (26:15) Jennifer Guggenheim (32:50)
1992 Roger Nasatka (25:48) Bonnie Davis (32:37)
1993 Rich Marion (24:59) Bonnie Davis (31:44)
1994 Brad Schlapak (26:00) Pat Dalconzo (30:41)
1995 Tim Blouin (25:50) Pat Dalconzo (30:20)
1996 Rich Marion (26:02) Carolyn Finch (30:26)
1997 Tim Blouin (28:09) Karen Palmer (33:43)
1999 Nate Jenkins (25:27) Sarah Pierce (33:04)
2000 Nate Jenkins (26:02) Marisa Clapp (31:48)
2001 Tim Blouin (27:01) Kelly Heroux (31:34)
2002 Brad Fors (27:15) Amanda Dahlberg (33:48)
2003 Jon Korhonen (26:16) Amanda Dahlberg (32:19)
2004 Tim Glover (27:55) Bridgette Flick (32:53)
2006 Josh Boone (26:01) Amanda Kourtz (30:35)
2007 Jon Korhonen (26:19) Amanda Kourtz (30:24)
2008 Sean Duncan (24:49) Amanda Kourtz (29:16)
2009 Josh Boone (24:58) Amanda Kourtz (28:42)
2010 Matt Spano (26:06) Amanda Kourtz (29:58)
2011 Sean Duncan (24:25) Amanda Kourtz (29:08)
2013 Chris Greenlee (28:11) Jessica Anderson (31:55)
2014 Scott Leslie (26:31) Jessica Anderson (30:48)
2015 Scott Leslie (25:55) Jessica Anderson (31:39)
2016 Jake Hastings (25:37) Caitlin Difava (31:42)
2017 Jake Hastings (26:31) Caitlin Difava (31:46)
Comments and suggestions for The Gardner Scene can be sent to Mike Richard at mikerichard0725@gmail.com or in writing to Mike Richard, 92 Boardley Road, Sandwich, MA 02563.
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