Hundreds show up for Turkey Trot

Hundreds of local residents and even some from out of town spent their Thanksgiving Day morning taking part in the 11th annual Douglas Run/Walk for the Cure Turkey Trot which was held at Airport Park.

All the money raised from the event stays in Douglas helping those with cancer battle the deadly disease.

The day began with a 40 yard run which was for kids ages 2-4. It was followed by a 400 meter run for kids ages 5-8 and that was followed by a half mile run which was for kids ages 9-12.

The main event was the 5K run/walk which had well over 150 people taking part.

Event organizer Linda Gomez, a survivor of breast cancer herself, was beaming with pride after it was over.

“This is just phenomenal,” she said. “Like the secret to success you surround yourself with good people and that’s what I did. They all came to the plate. That’s the only reason we do this.”

The weather cooperated beautifully which helped the attendance, she added.

“Today’s event was so successful,” she said. “Beyond my wildest… We are here for one reason and one reason only and that’s to help the people of Douglas who have been diagnosed with cancer.”

The event was helped by the generous sponsors who contributed not only financially but in other ways as well.

The City of Douglas, Wal-Mart and Pacific Crest Estates out of California were the three major sponsors.

Gomez had 14 what she calls Triple Diamond sponsors; 26 Double Diamond sponsors and 45 Diamond sponsors.

Douglas’ Mayor Danny Ortega Jr. has seen his wife become cancer free. He and his family were among the many who walked or ran Thursday.

Gomez said the first year there was an estimated 150 people and each year since numbers have continued to increase.

Gomez added the event is now to the point where she is considering having registration deadlines. People were still signing up minutes before the event was to begin.

Gomez continues to go once every six months for her cancer check ups and she has a lot of tests done once a year.

“I’m happy to say I’m still cancer free,” she said.

Results of the race are as follows: 40 yard dash: first place, Eddie Gomez; second place, Andie Galvez; third place, Travis Long; fourth place, Lianna Edwards; fifth place, Pax Benjamin; sixth place, Jaden Calderon; seventh place, Jacob Garison; eighth place, Jace Necas.

400-meters: first place, Ty Partain; second place, Marco Lopez; third place, Rodrick Chernowski; fourth place, Trinity Gomez, fifth place, Zve Benjamin; sixth place, Ezlynn Swanson; seventh place, Sarah Berry; eighth place, Hector Moreno; ninth place, Carlos Verdugo; 10th place, Kenny Nelson.

Half-mile run: first place, Paige Mariscal; second place, Sammy Parra; third place, Nathan Grijalva; fourth place, Konnor Cormier; fifth place, Hector Canez; sixth place, Alex Berry; seventh place, John Edwards; eighth place, Bethany Alger; ninth place, Trey Rose, 10th place, America Rojas.

5K Run: overall male, Ricky Larez, 18:45; overall female, Emeri Melendez, 22:02.

11-14 age group: female: first place, Emeri Melendez, second place, Kaycie Cormier. Male, first place Ricardo Melendez; second place, Juan Pacheco; third place, Joshua Lujan.

15-19 age group: female first place, Karla Loreto; second place, Laura Hurtado; third place, Kimberly Cormier. Male, first place Ricky Larez; second place, Jesus Loreto; third place, Alexio Esquer.

20-29 age group: female first place, Stacey Aguayo; second place, Kristi Cormier; third place, Christina Depweg. Male, first place David Melendez; second place, Jason Long; third place, Ezra Swanson.

30-39 age group: female first place, Nora Hess; second place, Monica Benjamin; third place, Stacey Blalock. Male, first place Julio Robeson; second place, Aneglo Barcelo; third place, Robert Romero.

40-49 age group: female first place, Nicole Mariscal; second place, Kim Esquer; third place, Terry Dillman. Male, first place Armando Bello; second place, Louie Tartaglia, third place, George Watkins.

50-59 age group: female first place, Rita Long, second place, Cindy Depweg; third place, Jackie Underwood. Male, first place Mario Lopez, second place, Ben Bermudez; third place, Arturo Aguayo.

60 and up: female first place, Jo Depweg. Male, first place Butch Barrett; second place, Michael Ferranto.