STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Some wore hats that said “Waddle ‘til you Gobble.”

Others sported colorful striped socks featuring turkeys and the words, “Run Now. Gobble Later.”

Wood River Valley residents must’ve heeded their words because a record number of people—and dogs—turned out for The Chamber’s 22nd annual Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morning in Hailey.

Chamber spokesperson Kelsey Watson estimated 1,200 people took part—about 200 more than the previous highs of a thousand.

It didn’t hurt that temperatures were headed to 50 degrees, meaning trotters could leave their wool caps, gloves and ski parkas behind. Or, that Sun Valley Resort officials had postponed their traditional Thanksgiving opener because warm weather had prevented them from making the snow they needed to lay down a base on River Run.

“We still have people checking in at start time,” said Chamber Director Mike McKenna, who uses entry fees to purchase Turkey Trot hats and fund such Chamber events as the Hailey fourth of July Parade.

Robin Paschall and Nancy McMath turned out in matching hula skirts sporting turkeys, knee-high turkey stockings and turkey hats.

“Baldy’s not open. We’ve got the nicest day for it. So, why not?!” said Paschall.

“We’re all celebrating life,” said Tamryn Thompson.

Some ran the 3-mile course, finishing under a blue inflatable Finish Line arch as relatives and friends cheered them on.

But most took their time, waving at friends and catching up with acquaintances as they made their way towards Croy Canyon before looping through the Draper Preserve and heading back along Broadford Road.

“It’s about exercise and camaraderie,” said Kelli  Young, who was walking with her granddaughter Kora Marcroft, who is 7 and three-quarters year old.

“It’s a Thanksgiving tradition,” said Kristy Heitzman, who has taken part in every Turkey Trot but one.

Many looked forward to the mimosa table that has become the stuff of legends in just a few short years. And Sara and Scott Gerrits did not disappoint.

They poured mimosas and Schnapps, inviting walkers to help themselves to inch squares of Costco pumpkin pie—with whipped cream—and homemade Rice Krispie bars with chocolate chips.

“This is our third year doing this,” said Sara Gerrits. “We moved into our house and saw all the trotters going by and we decided to set up a hydration station. It’s so fun, and now people expect it.”

Scott Gerrits kept busy treating trotters to shots mounted on a ski.

“The people coming by are working hard,” he said. “We want to keep them fueled and moving.”

The Gerrits’ relatives—Bonnie Gerrits and Dick Davies—come for Thanksgiving every year from their home in Wisconsin. And this year Bonnie made Mr. Potato outfits out of oversized T-shirts and felt eyes and noses she cut out and glued on.

“We love helping out,” she said, as she ladled hot cider into trotters’ cups. “I love to see all the people—young and old--and the dogs, too. Somebody told me half the valley is here this year, and I believe it.”

Among those filling their cups with cider were Gretchen and Kayla Lutes of Elko, Nev.; Jennifer Roethle of Montana and Jen and Batyr Bulibek of San Diego. They had made T-shirts saying “50 and Fearless” for Gretchen’s birthday and custom-made “One Big Family” mugs that they filled with coffee at the start before refilling them with cider.

“None of us live here,” said Gretchen Lukes. “We started coming here for Thanksgiving and others followed. Normally, we do the Turkey Trot and then go skiing on Thanksgiving Day. I guess this year we’ll make do with the Turkey Trot.”

The sun burned a hole in the backs of the trotters as they made their way back to the start along Broadford Road.

Dennis Botkin stood on one corner ringing a cowbell to cheer the trotters on.

“There’s a lot of people today. I thought a while ago we were reaching the end, but they keep coming,” he said.

A few blocks later, Mariella Gotz, who wore a turkey on her head, and Mike Zilinski, who wore a slice of pumpkin pie, directed walkers to turn onto Cedar Street.

“Only seven blocks to go,” Gotz exhorted them.

As the Turkey Trot wound down, the rest of the valley began to stir.

Two cyclists wearing Nordic ski caps instead of helmets zoomed down the bike path on their 10-speeds. Family groups jogged along the bike path.

A boy fished off the bridge leading to River Run Plaza while two groomers spread piles of manmade snow across the top of Lower River Run on Bald Mountain.

Skaters spun around Sun Valley’s outdoor Ice rink. And a 5-year-old boy pointed his sled down a small mountain of snow that Sun Valley Resort had made at the bottom of Dollar Mountain.

“Looks like we’re going to have to wait a little bit longer to go skiing,” one young man sighed.