The 27th Annual Turkey Trot race hosted by Madison College Athletics began Nov. 3, at the Door Creek Park at 7035 Littlemore Drive. There were 550 participants in the 5 kilometer and 5 mile cross country run/walk and kids races on a new course to raise money for Thursdays Child and Madison College Foundation charities.

The races kicked off at 9:30 a.m. with a fun non-competitive quarter-mile Turkey Trot cross country kids 12 and under race. Everyone finished a winner and received a free t-shirt, runners bib and cool finisher’s medal.

The 5K and 5M races started at the finish line and went around Door Creek Park on a unique cross country race path. The top three individuals in each division were given specially designed Turkey Trot medals an additional award is given to the top male and female finisher in the 5K and 5M.

The Turkey Trot is part of the Madison Area Running Series (11 area races).  The Door Creek Park Course was the new addition to this year’s races as the original course at Warner Park is under construction to make the course better for upcoming years. The best turnout for this race in the past was 725 participants.

Mark Manz, winner of the 5M race, enjoyed the course.

“The race director did a great job picking a new course for the people watching and running,” he said. “It had a good combo of hills, trails and turns, and you could see the racers several times throughout races over all it was a great cross country course.”

All proceeds from the race benefit Thursday’s Child makes dreams come true for terminally ill children at no cost. The Madison College Foundation provides educational assistance to students.

“Over the last 10 years, the race has raised $10,000 for Thursdays Child and about the same for Madison College Foundation,” said Jason Verhelst, the race director.

For more information about the turkey trot, its winners, and course maps visit madisonturkeytrot.com.

Overall and Age Division Winers

5 Kilometer Race

Overall: Male, Evan Joyce; Female, Amy Recob; 12 and under: Male: Kody Lewellin; Female: Madeline Schneider; Ages 13-18: Male, Chris Pahnke; Issabelle Bartholome;  Ages 19-29: Male, Evan Joyce; Female, Kacey Rindy;  Ages 30-39: Male, Chris Rogers; Female, Amy Recob;  Ages 40-49: Male, Patrick Schneider; Female, Linda Mueller;  Ages 50-50: Male, Trent Halverson; Female, Kathy Henderson; Ages 60-69: Male, Joel Stone; Female, Bonnie Saari; Ages 70 and up: Female, Donna Johnson.

5 Mile Race

Overall: Male, Mark Manz; Female: Miranda Bush; 12 and under: Male, Quinton Bush;  Ages 13-18: Male, Samuel Bishop; Ages 19-29: Male, Nathan Swenson; Female, Elise Grabow; Ages 30-39: Male, Jim Reichling; Female, Miranda Bush; Ages 40-49: Male, Mark Manz; Female, Jennifer Harland;  Ages 50-50: Male, Steve Ingham; Female, Carolyn Wuethrich;  Ages 60-69: Male, Sam Scalleta; Female, Janet Hagen.