2023 Wild Turkey Thank you!

December 1st, 2023

Another Successful Wild Turkey Run!

Early Thanksgiving morning, nearly 1632 runners, volunteers and spectators took to the streets of Salem to start their holiday participating in the 20th Annual Wild Turkey 5-Mile Run!

On behalf of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem, thank you to our participants for joining us for our 20th year. Your generosity and support of this annual event benefits youth programs at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem, and for that we are truly thankful.

This year’s Wild Turkey Run was the largest race on the North Shore. We started in 2004 with 300 runners and had a high of 1961 runners in 2015. This event has become a great holiday tradition both for locals and visiting family members.

Some interesting statistics from this year’s Wild Turkey 5-Mile Run:

  • For the 15th year in a row, women runners outnumbered men, 55.30% to 45.70%. 
  • Runner ages ranged from 7 years old to 82 years old! 
  • The winning time of 25:46 was turned in by the first-place finisher, Peter Asaro from Gloucester.
  • The female winner was Arianna Maida from Peabody, in a time of 30:02.
  • 12 Runners have completed all 20 Wild Turkey Runs!
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 Competitors joined us from across the country, representing 30 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. The states include: Massachusetts, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, California, Virginia, Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Iowa, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, New York, Georgia, Idaho, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Texas, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Vermont, South Carolina, New Mexico, Washington, Illinois, Hawaii, Louisiana and Washington D. C.  

 

 

 

This great event could not be possible without the support of our community sponsors. Major sponsors include: New England Running Company, Institution for Savings, Pediatric Associates, Highland Dental Group, Peabody Essex Museum, Planet Fitness, Herrick Lutts Realty Partners, Salem Rotary, Marblehead Bank,  A & A Services Home Improvement,  Perry & Perry Attorneys at Law,  Johnson & O’Connor, Rockland Trust, Salem Five,  Eastern Bank, Beauport Ambulance,  Kaloutas Painting, John J. Walsh Insurance, Tides Restaurant, Whitestripes Minions, Correnti & Kolick LLP, Duffy Law, and StephenOGrady.com.  

Special gratitude to the many volunteers who donated their Thanksgiving morning and at the packet pickup to help out at the race:  Beth O’Grady, Kelly and Todd Pheulpin,  Ellen Talkowsky, Ilene Simons, Carole Donnelly, Grace  Duran, Joanne Scott, Elmer Galvez, Tom St. Pierre, Barbara Marino,  Beth Griffin, Kerry Phelan,  Lynn Petronio, Mark DeLuca,   Domingo Dominquez,   Lauren Gabel, Mary Herchenhahn, John Landry, Lilly Briggs, Lisa Cammarata, Carol and Lee Libelo, Mara Mendelsohn , Susan Gentile, Debbie Everett,   Paul Cranny,  Suzi Clements,  Peter Graves, Alision Phelan, Ana Gordan, Felisha  Ann Eisner,  Nicole Goggin, Amy Walsh,  Barbara Meader, Tim Short,  Joyce Arcisz,  Saul DeLeon, Rosely Vasquez, Mike Pallazola, Jack Danzinger, 

 

Kim Murtagh,BetsyObrine, Patty Scarpelli, Mike Fitzgerald, and the kids from the Boys & Girls Club. Thanks also to the great cheering group from the Salem Willows neighborhood.   

Special thanks to the Salem Police for controlling the traffic during the race to keep the runners safe, and to the many Salem residents along the route who cheered our runners on!

 
Again, thank you everyone for making this another successful Thanksgiving event!

Doug Bollen

Wild Turkey Race Director

Chief Advisor

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem

20th Wild Turkey Run!

July 11th, 2023

The 20th Annual Wild Turkey 5 Mile Run will be held on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2023 at 8:00am. The first 1600 entries will receive long sleeve shirts. We give out awards in 5-year age groups. The pre and post-race meeting place will be in the Peabody Essex Museum Atrium. The race benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem. Here’s the link to register: https://racewire.com/register.php?id=13687
Thank you,

Doug Bollen
Race Director

Wild Turkey Thank you!

December 1st, 2022

Another Successful Wild Turkey Run!

Early Thanksgiving morning, nearly 1600 runners, volunteers and spectators took to the streets of Salem to start their holiday participating in the 19th Annual Wild Turkey 5-Mile Run!

On behalf of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem, thank you to our participants for joining us for our 19th year. Your generosity and support of this annual event benefits youth programs at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem, and for that we are truly thankful.

This year’s Wild Turkey Run was the largest race on the North Shore. We started in 2004 with 300 runners and had a high of 1961 runners in 2015. This event has become a great holiday tradition both for locals and visiting family members.

Some interesting statistics from this year’s Wild Turkey 5-Mile Run:

• For the 14th year in a row, women runners outnumbered men, 58.11% to 41.89%.
• Runner ages ranged from 7 years old to 80 years old!
• A blistering course record winning time of 23:25 was turned in by the first-place finisher, Andrew Ernst from Manchester by the Sea.
• The female winner was Courtney Kelly from Marblehead , in a time of 30:17.
• 10 Runners have completed all 19 Wild Turkey Runs!
• Competitors joined us from across the country, representing 22 states and Canada. The states include: Massachusetts, California, Virginia, Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Iowa, Kentucky, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, Texas, Pennsylvania, Vermont, South Carolina, Washington, Illinois and Washington D. C.

This great event could not be possible without the support of our community sponsors. Major sponsors include: New England Running Company, Institution for Savings, Pediatric Associates, Brooks Sports Co., Highland Dental Group, Peabody Essex Museum, Planet Fitness, Herrick Lutts Realty Partners, Marblehead Bank, A & A Services Home Improvement, Title Boxing Club – Danvers, KM Esthetics, Flykidz, Ashland Construction, Dunkin’, Perry & Perry Attorneys at Law, Salem Witch Museum, Johnson & O’Connor, Kaloutas Painting, John J. Walsh Insurance, Correnti & Darling LLP, SalemHaunts.net, and StephenOGrady.com.

Special gratitude to the many volunteers who donated their Thanksgiving morning and at the packet pickup to help out at the race: Beth O’Grady, Kelly and Mark Pheulpin, Ellen Talkowsky, Ilene Simons, Carole Donnelly, Grace and Josenny Duran, Joanne Scott, Tom St. Pierre, Barbara Marino, Beth Griffin, Kerry Phelan, Joanne Scott, Susan Gentile, Lynn Petronio, Domingo Dominquez, Robin Bernstein, Meghan Emmert, Lauren Gabel, Mary Herchenhahn, Alen Yen, Lisa Cammarata, Carol and Lee Libelo, Mara Mendelsohn , Debbie Everett, Susan Garvey, Socrates Trinidad, Savannah Muasya, Maryelis Bautista, Julissa Telemaco, Allia Cueto, Rainelys Fernandez, Jaycee Cruz, Paul Cranny, Dave Drillis, Theo Hackett, George Cui, Matt Lieberman, Kim Murtagh, Maria Orfanos, Dan Stanwood, Molly Jenkins, Mike Fitzgerald, Ginny and Elliot Donato and the kids from the Boys & Girls Club. Thanks also to the great cheering group from the Salem Willows neighborhood.
Special thanks to the Salem Police for controlling the traffic during the race to keep the runners safe, and to the many Salem residents along the route who cheered our runners on!

Again, thank you everyone for making this another successful Thanksgiving event!

Doug Bollen
Wild Turkey Race Director
Chief Advisor
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem


History of Wild Turkey Winners!

November 29th, 2022


A history of the top finishers of the Wild Turkey and their times.
Course record set this year by Andrew Ernst with a time of 23:25 and the woman’s record was set in 2019 by Caterina Braz-Roche with a time of 27:41. Christine O’Donnell is a 5-time winner.
Thanks to Jim Pawlicki for researching some of the earlier years results.
Year Male Time Female Time
2022 Andrew Ernst 23:25 Courtney Kelly 30 :17
2021 Dan Chruniak 26:33 Tara Chaplin 30:32
2020 Virtual Year
2019 Dan Donato 28:39 Caterina Braz-Rocha 27:41
2018 James Baily 27:00 Emily Giannitti 30:11
2017 Marcelo Rocha 26:00 Katelyn Kiel 30:34
2016 Caleb Evanter 26:00 Christine O’Donnell 30:47
2015 Caleb Evanter 25:59 Kylynn McKinley 31:20
2014 Jordon Williamz 25:30 Kylynn McKinley 31:26
2013 Russell Brown 24:55 Christine O’Donnell 31:27
2012 Caleb Evanter 26:12 Kelly Walton 31:33
2011 Alex Gomes 26:18 Lauren Kennedy 29:31
2010 Max Kaulbach 25:57 Lauren Kennedy 29:01
2009 Dan Vassallo 25:41 Lyn Bessette 31:06
2008 Dan Vassallo 25:19 Christine O’Donnell 30:44
2007 Casey Driscoll 27:18 Julie Peterson 32:28
2006 Jason Garrity 25:25 Christine O’Donnell 30:32
2005 John Paul Davis 27:17 Amanda Walsh 32:08
2004 Mike Toomey 27:29 Christine O’Donnell 32:03

Sponsors

November 11th, 2022

Thank you to all our sponsors for the 2022 Wild Turkey Run!!

I want to thank our sponsors: Marblehead Bank, Kaloutas Painting, Title Boxing Club-Danvers, Salem Haunts, Herrick-Lutts Reality, Institution for Savings, Dunkin’, Highland Dental, A & A Services, Perry & Perry Attorneys at Law, Pediatrics Assoicates of Greater Salem, Flykitz, KM Esthetics, Salem Witch Museum, John J. Walsh Insurance, Peabody Essex Museum, New England Running Company, Planet Fitness, Correnti & Darling LLC, Brooks, and StephenOGrady.com.

2022 Wild Turkey 5 Mile Run

November 5th, 2021


The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem
The 19th Annual
“Wild Turkey 5 Mile Run!”Link to register: RaceWire | Wild Turkey 5 Mile


Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2022
Race starts at 8:00am
start and finish – at Roger Conant statue on the Common and finish in front of Peabody Essex Museum 161 Essex Street, Salem, Ma.

Race Headquarters and post party-awards at the Peabody Essex Museum Atrium at 161 Essex Street on the Pedestrian Mall next to finish line.

Pre-race packet pick up w/ numbers & shirt plus a chance to win a free pair of Brooks running shoes on November 22 & 23 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at: New England Running Company, Commodore Plaza, 43 Enon St., Beverly or pick up race day from 7 a.m. at the Peabody Essex Museum Atrium at 161 Essex Street on the Pedestrian Mall, Salem, Ma

Entry Fee: $30 pre registration; $35 race day
**** CHIP TIMING on Bib number provided by Racewire.com
Register Early: Long Sleeve Brooks Technical Shirts for first 1600 entrants!
(Sorry, shirt sizes cannot be guaranteed)
Awards: Overall winner male and female, and top three males & females in each category:
14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49,
50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 & over
Post Race: refreshments and awards at Peabody Essex Museum Atrium at 161 Essex Street, Salem, Ma.
Info: Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem (978) 744-0915 or
Email: dougbollen12@yahoo.com, website:salemroadraces.com

Thank you to our 2021 Sponsors of the Wild Turkey 5 Mile Run!

October 15th, 2021

2021 Wild Turkey 5 Mile Run

July 17th, 2021


The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem
The 18th Annual
“Wild Turkey 5 Mile Run!”


Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2021
Race starts at 8:00am
start and finish – at Roger Conant statue on the Common and finish in front of Peabody Essex Museum 161 Essex Street, Salem, Ma.

Race Headquarters and post party-awards at the Peabody Essex Museum Atrium at 161 Essex Street on the Pedestrian Mall next to finish line.

Pre-race packet pick up w/ numbers & shirt plus a chance to win a free pair of Brooks running shoes on November 23 & 24 from 10 a.m. – 6p.m. at: New England Running Company, Commodore Plaza, 43 Enon St., Beverly or pick up race day from 7 a.m. at the Peabody Essex Museum Atrium at 161 Essex Street on the Pedestrian Mall, Salem, Ma

Entry Fee: $30 pre registration; $34 race day
**** CHIP TIMING on Bib number provided by Racewire.com
Register Early: Long Sleeve Brooks Technical Shirts for first 1600 entrants!
(Sorry, shirt sizes cannot be guaranteed)
Awards: Overall winner male and female, and top three males & females in each category:
14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49,
50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 & over
Post Race: refreshments and awards at Peabody Essex Museum Atrium at 161 Essex Street, Salem, Ma.
Info: Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem (978) 744-0915 or
Email: dougbollen12@yahoo.com, website:salemroadraces.com
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Link to register: https://racewire.com/register.php?id=12350

2021 Wild Turkey 5 Mile Run

May 4th, 2021

We expect to be able to host the 18th annual Wild Turkey 5 Mile Run as long as we get all the permissions needed from the state and local government.  Do we anticipate that we will be able to have to race this November 25 on Thanksgiving morning!!! We look forward to welcoming runners back!!!  We will keep you updated

2020 Wild Turkey Virtual Run

September 22nd, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE 18TH ANNUAL WILD TURKEY 5-MILE RACE
NOVEMBER 12-26 – VIRTUAL – ACROSS THE US
At-Home – 2020
A note to our runners…
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem is canceling the in-person
version of our 2020 Wild Turkey 5-mile race. While we are disappointed, we wholeheartedly
support this decision and know that it is prudent to do what is best to ensure everyone’s safety.
As a result, the 2020 Wild Turkey Race, originally scheduled for Thanksgiving morning will be
going virtual to become the 2020 Wild Turkey Virtual Run At-Home Edition.
Register on RaceWire at https://racewire.com/register.php?id=11850, and run your mileage at home anytime between November 12-26 and
submit your results online. Complete race results, times and scoring will be posted on the race
website. The first 500 registered runners will receive our exclusive (and coveted!) Brooks,
long-sleeve event t-shirt. Registered runners will receive an email with additional instructions
regarding bib numbers, and how to post your times. Certificates will be awarded to Top
Runners.
Share your photos and videos by tagging @SalemBoysGirlsClub and using the hashtag:
#SalemWildTurkeyAtHome
Introducing…
2020 Wild Turkey Kids At-Home Challenge
Since we can not be together in Salem for the 2020 event, we have designed a very special event AT
NO COST for our littlest supporters. Your kids, from 3 to 10 years old, will receive a package directly
sent to their door, complete with a customizable bib number and a package of crayons.
You will be sent a list of five challenges for the kids to complete. Once the challenges are finished,
you will award them with their very own limited-edition Wild Turkey Kids At-Home medal!
Parents can register their children online at www.bgcgs.org by November 1, and complete
their five challenges between November 12 and November 26.
Share your photos and videos of your kids completing their challenges and wearing their medal by
tagging @SalemBoysGirlsClub and using the hashtag: #SalemWildTurkeyAtHome
Certificates will be awarded to most creative and energetic efforts!