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Meskwaki Health Clinic hosts annual Turkey Trot

PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS – Sarah Earls (right) won the women’s race, with Kelly Wells-Sittig (left) finishing second, and Dalyn Wabaunasee (center) finishing in third place.
PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS – Jonathan Meyer finished in first place (left), followed by Todd Courtney (center) in second place, and Jenson Schirmer (left) rounded out the podium in third.
PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS
PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS
PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS
PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS
PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS
PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS

Freezing temperatures and frigid winds did not deter runners, walkers, and joggers from participating in the Meskwaki Health Clinic’s annual Turkey Trot. Rudy Papakee, Health Director of the tribe, organizes the event every year with 2025 being no different.

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. On a first-come first-served basis participants received a hoodie and sweatpants.

This year’s route was changed from years past. Participants ran from the rec center, straight to the stop sign that sits to the east of the casino, and returned back to the rec center. The change was made to give a straighter route with less confusion.

After the race, light refreshments were available before the brave athletes returned home to enjoy a day of thankfulness and turkey!