In Tupper Lake, the memorial race is changing hands and drawing a crowd. In Saranac Lake, the annual event hit a decade and raised more than $100,000 this year.

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‘Ready, set, trot!’

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“Ready, set, trot!” Tupper Lake town Recreation Director Laura LaBarge shouted as runners in the 11th annual Erin Farkas Dewyea Turkey Trot set out on their race from the Tupper Lake Christian Center.

Last year’s memorial race was the last organized by Erin’s family, as her sister and father said they had reached their goal. This year, the town of Tupper Lake and the local Kiwanis Club took it over to continue the tradition, give people some holiday exercise and raise money for local kids.

Erin’s family was glad to see it continue. Her father, Mike Farkas, said he was amazed at the turnout, which, despite the snowy and cold conditions, was even lager than last year’s.

Erin, a kindergarten teacher at L.P. Quinn Elementary, died unexpectedly on Sept. 24, 2014. She was 38. Maureen Shaheen, a friend and colleague, organized the first Turkey Trot two months later to support the family.

Erin’s sister Nicole Boyer took over organizing the Turkey Trot with her husband Marcel and father Mike.

Kim Verstringhe, left, and Sherry Gibson pose on Main Street during the Adirondack Health 5K Turkey Trot Thursday morning in Lake Placid. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Erin’s brother-in-law, Marcel Boyer, said the event has been important to their family and it was nice to see the community stick together to support it.

“If you knew (Erin) you’d understand,” Marcel said.

Erin was a huge part of the community, he said, and to now see friends that she influenced organize an event for her is a high honor.

The annual race previously funded a $2,500 scholarship award in Erin’s name for a senior graduating from Tupper Lake High School with plans to go into the educational field; an award for an L.P. Quinn Elementary School teacher with $200 for classroom use; a plaque at L.P. Quinn commemorating Erin; the summer reading club; the local Kiwanis Club, which she was a member of; and it keeps “Erin’s Corner” at the Goff-Nelson Memorial Library stocked with books.

Now, the event has been successful enough to keep all these funds sustainable. Mike estimates they’ve raised more than $100,000 over the years.

Lake Placid natives Mary Jane Lawrence, left, and Don Lawrence take part in the Lake Placid Turkey Trot on Thursday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

This year, with new organizers, the money raised by the race will go toward Kiwanis events and a youth scholarship program for the town recreation department.

“We never ever want to turn a child away from any of our programs,” LaBarge said.

The fund will support children to attend ski classes, soccer games and the day camp so families don’t have to worry about if they can afford it or not, she said.

Kiwanis Secretary Juli Dukett said Erin was a Kiwanis member and her best friend. She wanted to continue the legacy and the event.

Dukett and LaBarge said they hope to make the revived race an annual event.

Katelyn Shaheen takes off from the start of the 11th annual Erin Farkas Dewyea Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving, pushing Clayton and Preston onto the course. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)

The 50/50 raffle at the event alone split $2,104 between the winner and the organizers. There were also a slew of baskets raffled off, a $35 and $45 entry fee and 11 business sponsors to cover operating costs.

Jonah Kendall was the first to cross the finish line, finishing the 5K race in a time of 18:40. Pia Corujo took first in the 5K’s female category. Lynn Nadeau and Kim Higgins split the 10K walking category. Hannah Riley and Kate Beaudette took first in the 5K walk female category. Mike Zande took first in the 5K walk male category.

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A decade and $100,000

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Bitters and Bones Turkey trotters kick off the race Thursday morning outside the restaurant on Broadway in Saranac Lake. (Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)

In its 10th year, the Saranac Lake Turkey Trot hit a major fundraising goal, raising $100,000 with the help of generous donors this year.

Bitters and Bones co-owner, race organizer and Harrietstown Councilman Johnny Williams estimated that they had more than 400 racers participate.

The money will be given to the Saranac Lake Interfaith Food Pantry and the school district’s student needs fund.

“That’s just about as impactful as it gets as far as I’m concerned,” Williams said of the two organizations

He said it felt humbling to see the race in its 10th year and expressed gratitude to the generosity of the community for supporting of worthy causes.

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Turkeys and dogs

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In Lake Placid, there were 471 people — and many dogs — that finished the race around Mirror Lake at the Adirondack Health 5K Turkey Trot. The event raises money for local school food pantries and Adirondack Health’s Fit for Life scholarship program.

Race results can be found at tinyurl.com/3tx2uvd8.

(See more photos here.)

Bitters and Bones Turkey trotters kick off the race Thursday morning outside the restaurant on Broadway in Saranac Lake. (Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)

Garrett Wormuth peels his way toward the finish line of the 11th annual Erin Farkas Dewyea Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)

From left, Gavin Haig, Jeff Haig, Kris Haig and Dave Haig are pitured with their dog before the Lake Placid Turkey Trot on Thursday. Adirondack Health 5K Turkey Trot runners and walkers made their way down Mirror Lake Drive on their way around the lake. There were 471 residents, visitors and many dogs that finished the 15th annual event. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Sam Davies with dogs Remi and Brewer sprints to the finish line of the 11th annual Erin Farkas Dewyea Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)