Hailey’s Turkey Trot
By MIKE MCKENNA
Sometimes the greatest ideas are the simplest. But the real key to any great idea is to have even greater people get behind it. The story of Hailey’s Turkey Trot is a perfect example.
Back near the turn of the century, Daryl and Mary Fauth were happily raising their young family in Hailey. They had no idea that they were about to start an event that would become a family tradition that multiple generations would enjoy for decades.
Daryl was in to running at the time, and not just running around chasing after their kids. He’d go on regular runs with a group of locals. One day after a run, a member of the group said, “This town needs a Turkey Trot.”
Mary further explained, “Turkey Trots are fun runs that lots of cities have on Thanksgiving morning. People will even dress up for them. Whole families will run. They’re great.”
The idea made perfect sense to Daryl, “Come out and make room for the turkey!”
Mary had spent years helping organize races for The Elephant’s Perch and was the perfect partner to create the race—especially since she often had Daryl’s help as he was “’volun-told’ to do,” as he joked. Their kids, Sam and Abby, and Bob Rosso also got roped into helping.
So on a chilly Thanksgiving Day in 2003, 45 people attended the first ever Hailey Turkey Trot. The 5k ran its way through the east side of Hailey around the Foxmoor neighborhood. The location was mainly chosen because it was near the Fauths’ house and they were doing all the heavy lifting. And as the Fauths can attest, putting on a 5k includes a lot of heavy lifting, time and effort. But it’s clear our community really appreciates their efforts, even if many people don’t realize the invaluable role they played.
“As a family we used to get up at the crack of dawn to mark the course,” Daryl (sort-of) fondly recalls. “It’s fun to see how many people in the community got excited and wanted to be involved. People were really stoked to have this tradition come to Hailey.”
“As long as the turkey went in the oven before the race started, we were all set,” Mary said with a smile.
Two decades later, the Annual Hailey Turkey Trot Fun Run and Walk now hosts up to 700 participants on a popular course that includes a stretch through the Draper Wood River Preserve and over the Bow Bridge. Most people actually walk instead of run. Grandparents and grandkids, dogs, baby strollers, and even a goat once, all participate.
The Chamber took over the event a half-dozen years ago, but we all owe a big thanks to the Fauths.
“When you live in this valley, friends and neighbors become your extended family, and so giving them a reason to gather is great,” Daryl said. “It’s rewarding to see that it’s still going and we love to hear about how it has become part of the Thanksgiving tradition for so many people,” Mary said.
Sign up for the 20th Annual Hailey Turkey Trot at ValleyChamber.org.
