Here at the 2022 39th annual Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot are (from left): this year’s Honorary Starter Jack Island, Mayor Scott Levin and Dan Gibbons himself!
By Dee Longfellow
It was a picture-perfect day for November, with temperatures almost 50 degrees at the start of the race when 7,155 paid participants took to the streets of Elmhurst for the 39th annual Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot held on Thanksgiving morning.
It was a fun, family-friendly event with entertainment as well. The Men of Spirito managed to sing above the sounds of a freight train and the Anthem Medley was beautiful, according to onlookers. Jim Cornelison provided his usual great rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner, as the Lima Lima Flight Team flew over the start line. Mayor Scott Levin delivered a message to the crowd and Dan Gibbons himself thanked everyone, especially Jack Island, owner of the now-closed Silverado Restaurant on Spring Road.
Island was chosen to be the Honorary Starter for his many years of service to the community through programs like Silverado Jr., a program that allows grade school children to operate the restaurant themselves for a night. Jack also donated and served breakfast at Silverado to all the volunteers who helped out with the Turkey Trot every year.
“He would donate 300-350 meals to our volunteers every Thanksgiving,” Gibbons said. “It’s hard to comprehend, but he did it.”
Gibbons expressed thanks to the 250 volunteers who worked at packet pick-up and registration. He also gave gratitude to the City of Elmhurst, the Police Department, the Fire Department, the Mobile Incident Command Unit, Streets and Sanitation, Elmhurst University Security and the DuPage County Sheriff’s Department.
On Tuesday, Dec. 20, checks were distributed to all the beneficiaries. Gibbons was proud to distribute upwards of $200,000 this year, serving 17 total agencies, which is seven more than in previous years. He said in past years, they had distributed about $162,500, but this year’s total hit a brand-new record.
Recipients included United Community Concerns Assn., West Suburban Community Pantry, Catholic Charities-DuPage, Loaves and Fishes Community Services, People’s Resource Center, DuPage PADS, Immaculate Conception food pantry, Elmhurst/Yorkfield food pantry, the Elmhurst Walk-In Assistance Network (EWAN), Outreach House, Neighborhood Food Pantries, DuPage Senior Citizens Council – Meals on Wheels, Knights of Columbus, Disciples food pantry, Wayne Township food pantry and Hope House.
He mentioned that because contributions had grown so much in the past year, there will be an application process for future donations.
On to the race
Gibbons was proud to announce that the top finishers in both male and female were residents of Elmhurst, as were the third place winners. Female finishers included: first place, Julia Ordzowialy of Elmhurst, 18:31; second place, Kaitlyn Vanias of Cottage Grove, 19:02; and, Brooke Berger of Elmhurst, 19:34. Male top performers were: first place, Kevin Havel of Elmhurst, 15:15; Julian Watson of Darien, 15:59; and, Sam Ayers of Elmhurst, 16:02.
Next year, the Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot will turn 40. Who knows what’s in store for the 40th annual event, but it will be interesting to see!
