Run or walk in the 2024 Weiser Wrestling Turkey Trot

After a very successful first annual Weiser Wrestling Turkey Trot, put together in just over two weeks time before Thanksgiving 2023, plans for the second annual event are on the ground and running (pun intended).

 Taking the event’s organization in hand last year, Weiser’s Lori Sarich is delighted with how the 2024 Thanksgiving morning run/walk/relay is coming together.

 “The only thing we’re changing this year is we’re using Memorial Park, starting and finishing at the covered picnic area,” Sarich said. “We have a one-mile loop to run or walk, or the 5K team relay, like a 4x1-mile timed race.”

 With more time to plan this time around and hopes of making things move more quickly Thanksgiving morning, Sarich said participant numbers with bags of stuff will be ready at the race’s start for all pre-paid registrants. The registration “gifts” for everyone who signs up includes a pair of Turkey Trot socks. 

 Runners, walkers and wrestling supporters can register by contacting Sarich at lorisarich@gmail.com or calling 208-880-2997. Fees, which are $25 per adult, $15 for children 12 and under, and $100 per four-person team, may be paid to Venmo@Lori-Sarich, or by cash or check payable to Weiser Wrestling.

 “Last year’s fundraiser brought in a little over $3,000, but we only had two and a-half weeks to advertise,” Sarich said. “This year is a bit more organized with more prizes, and we have an 11 and a-half foot turkey. The race starts at 9 a.m.

 “I have a lot of people helping out with this,” Sarich added. “Kelly Cobb helps me a lot, along with my whole family.”

 The funds raised go directly to Weiser High School’s wrestling program. This year’s wrestling schedule includes a couple of big tournaments, one in South Dakota and another in Nevada, giving Weiser’s wrestlers a chance to match themselves against competition outside of the SRV and Idaho 4A divisions. 

 The additional funding from the Turkey Trot will no doubt assist in the program’s travel costs.