- Runner, walkers, and all turkey trot goers lined up as the clock stuck eight to venture out on their cool holiday expedition. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN MEYER
- Inside the Meskwaki Rec Center, food was available after the event. From cinnamon rolls, grapes, orange juice, and much more, participants started their Thanksgiving morning with plenty of fuel after the race. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER
- The women’s podium included winner JoJo Tyynismaa (right), second place Ashlyn Kapayou (middle), and third place Lori Sam (left). PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER
- An all-collegiate podium for the men included first place (middle) Riley Coulter, second place Tommy Tyynismaa (right), and Jonathan Meyer (left). PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN MEYER
Runner, walkers, and all turkey trot goers lined up as the clock stuck eight to venture out on their cool holiday expedition. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN MEYER
Despite the frigid November temperature and sharp winds, a record number of turkey day celebrants kicked off the holiday by traversing the Meskwaki Settlement.
Starting from the Meskwaki Recreation Center, participants started gathering an hour before the start time. Registration to participants was a donation of two non-perishable food items, any extra items were counted and added as entries in a door-prize drawing. All donations were split between the Meskwaki Seniors and South Tama Food Pantries. On a first-come first-served basis participants received a crew neck and sweatpants with event logos printed on them.
The 5k race was dominated by collegiate athletes. Winning the event was Riley Coulter, a senior from the NCAA Division III school, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Coulter pulled away from Iowa State’s Tommy Tyynismaa in the final minutes of the race. Wartburg sophomore Jonathan Meyer rounded out the top three for the men. Wartburg All-American, JoJo Tyynismaa added to her collection of first place finishes with yet another win in the women’s competition. Athletes who finished in the top three of the men’s and women’s race received pies courtesy of the event.
Rudy Papakee, Health Director of the tribe, organizes the event every year. In talking about turnout at the event Papakee was pleased.
“We estimated between 175 and 200 people come out, a really good turnout for Thanksgiving morning.”
Inside the Meskwaki Rec Center, food was available after the event. From cinnamon rolls, grapes, orange juice, and much more, participants started their Thanksgiving morning with plenty of fuel after the race. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER
Papakee would like to thank Health Clinic staff and volunteers for their hard work in putting on the event. Those thank-yous include Kathy Shuckahosee, Crystal Whitebreas, Sara Augspurger, Rudy Papakee, Tatum Davenport, Jaiden Davenport, and Danelle Wabaunasee.
Papakee would also like to thank all participants for making the event an annual success.
The women’s podium included winner JoJo Tyynismaa (right), second place Ashlyn Kapayou (middle), and third place Lori Sam (left). PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER
An all-collegiate podium for the men included first place (middle) Riley Coulter, second place Tommy Tyynismaa (right), and Jonathan Meyer (left). PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN MEYER
