Cortez locals Gavin Henderson, left, and Amelia DeWitt, right, race towards the finish line at For Pet's Sake 2023 Turkey Trot at Parque de Vida. The two were the first to cross.
Matthew Tangeman
1-mile course runs around Parque de Vida
This was the 20th year of the Turkey Trot at Parque de Vida in Cortez, organized as a fundraising event for For Pet’s Sake Humane Society. Roughly 50 walkers and runners came out – some in costume, some with their pets–- to enjoy the 1-mile course around the park.
“People enjoy it,” said Ric Plese, who began running this course on Thanksgiving 28 years ago before he handed it off to For Pet’s Sake 20 years ago to become a fundraiser. “You know, there's been some really cold, cold Thanksgiving mornings, but for the most part, it gets a pretty good crowd. And the costumes are what's fun. There's been turkeys and donkeys in costume over the years. It's been fun.”
For Pet’s Sake is run by all volunteers, and events like this one help keep the organization afloat.
“Our food and costs have increased tremendously this year,” said board president Lynn Dyer. “There are a lot of needs as a community, both for medical care and for spay and neuter fees.”
Anyone interested in supporting For Pet’s Sake can find them on Facebook or the web, and details for their big year-end fundraiser will be announced soon
Walkers on the 1-mile Turkey Trot course at Parque de Vida on Thanksgiving, 2023.
Matthew Tangeman
Walkers, including Trish Rensink and her newfoundland Enzo, right, begin the 1-mile course of the For Pet's Sake Turkey Trot at Parque de Vida.
Matthew Tangeman
Cortez locals Gavin Henderson, left, and Amelia DeWitt, right, race towards the finish line at For Pet's Sake 2023 Turkey Trot at Parque de Vida. The two were the first to cross.
Matthew Tangeman
Cortez locals Gavin Henderson, left, and Amelia DeWitt, right, race towards the finish line at For Pet's Sake 2023 Turkey Trot at Parque de Vida. The two were the first to cross.
Matthew Tangeman
Cortez locals Gavin Henderson, left, and Amelia DeWitt, right, race towards the finish line at For Pet's Sake 2023 Turkey Trot at Parque de Vida. The two were the first to cross.
Matthew Tangeman
Cortez locals Gavin Henderson, left, and Amelia DeWitt, right, race towards the finish line at For Pet's Sake 2023 Turkey Trot at Parque de Vida. The two were the first to cross.
Matthew Tangeman
Walkers on the 1-mile Turkey Trot course at Parque de Vida on Thanksgiving, 2023.
Matthew Tangeman
Walkers on the 1-mile Turkey Trot course at Parque de Vida on Thanksgiving, 2023.
Matthew Tangeman
Jynx the bassett hound sports their Thanksgiving costume during the 2023 Turkey Trot. Jynx belongs to the Leis family of Cortez.
Matthew Tangeman
For Pet's Sake volunteer Bill Williams (right) kicks off the 2023 Turkey Trot at Parque de Vida.
Matthew Tangeman
Walkers, including Trish Rensink and her newfoundland Enzo, right, begin the 1-mile course of the For Pet's Sake Turkey Trot at Parque de Vida.
