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Shuksan Middle School celebrates 70 years of the Turkey Trot

8th graders take off at the start line of the Turkey Trot

Eighth grade students take off at the start of the race

A person wearing a scarf and a headpiece with flowers stands in front of a glass building, surrounded by a crowd of people.

Hot chocolate was served to students after each race

A young girl with a bright smile is visible through an open doorway, surrounded by colorful stuffed animals and toys in a vibrant, playful environment.

A student reacts to winning a costume prize at the assembly

Three young women are engaged in a lively interaction, with one raising her hand in a high-five gesture while the others appear to be encouraging or celebrating with her in a brightly lit indoor setting.

Top five placers high-five one another during the assembly

A black and white photograph captures a group of young women with long, flowing hair standing together in an outdoor setting with blurred foliage in the background.

A historic photo of a Shuksan Turkey Trot from many years ago

A Bellingham Herald newspaper clipping photo of students lined up to start a Turkey Trot race in Cornwall Park (photo courtesy of current Alderwood Elementary teacher Jennifer Wilkinson, pictured in the photo as a Shuksan student)

A Bellingham Herald newspaper clipping photo of students lined up to start a Turkey Trot race in Cornwall Park (photo courtesy of current Alderwood Elementary teacher Jennifer Wilkinson, pictured in the photo as a Shuksan student)

The image shows a wooden bottle of Larry Keen Suntan Animal Tanning Lotion placed on a wooden stand, with two crystal glass figurines of birds on either side, and a vibrant orange flower in the background.

A close up of one of the Shuksan Turkey Trot trophies that holds names of overall winners 

A colorfully dressed figure holding signs stands in the foreground, with a person in the background.

Shuksan PE teacher Mary Felling passes out award certificates 

A group of people, some wearing colorful and vibrant clothing, are gathered outdoors in front of a building with a rainbow flag displayed.

PE teacher Scott Larrabee instructs students before the start of a race.

A group of people, mostly young adults, are gathered on a grassy field in front of a building, engaged in what appears to be a physical activity or exercise.

Students take off across the field in front of the school at the beginning of the Turkey Trot

Two young people, a boy and a girl, are running together on a grassy field in front of a building with colorful decorations.

Students cross the finish line in a Turkey Trot race

A young woman with long brown hair is holding a large turkey-shaped decoration and standing in what appears to be a gymnasium or sports facility.

Eighth grader Frankie Alexander is recognized as the first place winner in the eight grade girls division at the assembly

A person wearing a navy blue sweatshirt with a sun design is jumping on a grassy field, with colorful flags or banners visible in the background.

A student leaps over finish line tape at during the Turkey Trot

A person wearing a yellow banana costume is standing in front of a building with windows, appearing to be in a public setting.

A student dressed as a banana smiles while crossing the finish line

A group of people, mostly young, are gathered around a large, colorful sculpture or art installation in an outdoor setting with a building in the background.

A student dressed in an inflatable gorilla costume high fives classmates near the end of the Turkey Trot race

A person wearing a vibrant purple costume with a large headdress stands in a grassy field, with several people visible in the background.

PE teacher Mary Felling cheers on students as they approach the finish line

Two young women, one wearing a colorful, patterned jacket and the other in a black coat, are laughing and interacting with each other in the foreground, while a group of people can be seen in the background.

Students smile and laugh while high-fiving classmates near the end of the Turkey Trot race

The image shows a group of people in colorful costumes, including a person wearing a red hooded outfit resembling a gnome or elf, standing among a crowd of onlookers.

PE teacher Scott Larrabee and library media specialist CJ Fisher compare notes after a race

A young woman wearing a white sweatshirt with a logo and a blue beanie is standing in a colorful indoor setting, appearing cheerful and engaged.

A student smiles while being recognized as a top-five placer

A large inflatable pink character stands in a grassy area, with several people walking around in the background, including a person in a gray jacket.

Students, including a student in an inflatable Patrick Star costume, race in the field during the Turkey Trot

A person wearing a red and orange costume stands in the foreground, surrounded by a crowd of people in the background.

A student dressed as a turkey approaches the Turkey Trot finish line

A group of people, mostly young adults, are walking together on a grassy field in front of a building with a glass facade.

A large group of student race during the start of the Turkey Trot race

A large crowd of people, mostly women, standing together in a dimly lit urban setting.

A historic photo of a past Turkey Trot at Shuksan Middle School

The image shows a man wearing a gray coat and a woman wearing a white shirt in the foreground, with a wooded area in the background.

A photo of the first-ever Turkey Trot winner (Harry Smith, 1956) as a student and then later as an adult

A large group of children and young people, dressed in a variety of casual clothing, are gathered on a grassy field in front of a building with windows.

Student ready to take off from the starting line at the Turkey Trot

The image shows a group of people, some wearing hooded sweatshirts, walking on a wet, grassy area with cones and other objects in the background, suggesting an outdoor event or activity.

A group of students approach the Turkey Trot finish line

The image shows three people walking together in a public setting, with one person wearing a colorful costume and the others dressed more casually. In the background, there appears to be a building or structure with lights visible.

A group of students, including a student in a Thanksgiving-themed costumed, near the finish line

A smiling person wearing a bright red rooster-like hat stands in a crowd of people, some of whom are also wearing colorful costumes or hats.

A staff member dressed up for the Turkey Trot smiles at the finish line

A young person wearing a navy blue shirt stands in a room with a purple wall in the background.

A student smiles while being recognized as a top-five placer

A young boy wearing a bright green alien costume stands in the foreground, surrounded by a crowd of people in the background.

A student looks to the camera while crossing the finish line in an alien costume

The image shows a person wearing a colorful, patterned outfit standing in a gymnasium with a basketball hoop and other people in the background.

Principal Dr. Craig Baldwin and a student compete in a light-hearted trivia contest during a grade level assembly

A young person with a cheerful expression, wearing a colorful tie-dye shirt, sitting in a room with vibrant yellow walls and various decorations.

A race winner smiles while being recognized at the assembly

A group of people, dressed in various colorful costumes, are standing together in a large indoor sports facility with a wooden floor and high ceilings.

Seventh grade award recipients

A group of people, some in colorful costumes, standing together in a gymnasium-like setting with sports equipment and lighting fixtures visible in the background.

Sixth grade award recipients

A group of young people, both male and female, are standing together in a gymnasium-like setting, holding various sports equipment and wearing athletic attire.

Eighth grade award recipients

  • Healthy, active individuals
  • Student, Family and Community Engagement
Shuksan Middle School celebrates 70 years of the Turkey Trot

See photo album on Flickr

Rainy weather did not dampen the spirits of Shuksan Middle School students and staff as the 70th Annual Turkey Trot took place on Tuesday, November 25. 

Shuksan Middle School, originally built in 1956 and rebuilt in 2009, has seen many generations of students participate in the long-standing Turkey Trot tradition. 

For the 2025 edition, the Turkey Trot route started and ended in the large field in front of the school, taking students on a loop around the campus perimeter behind the school building.  

Each grade level has its own Turkey Trot race throughout the day. Some students opted to competitively race while others jogged or walked with friends.  

Above all, it presented an opportunity to get exercise and celebrate school spirit together – students were welcome to wear costumes for the Turkey Trot occasion. 

Volunteers helped hand out hot chocolate after the races, and families were invited to attend as well. 

Shuksan PE teachers Scott Larrabee and Mary Felling led the day’s festivities, helping start the race and emceeing the assemblies. 

“Our goal is always to make movement fun, and the students absolutely delivered today,” Larrabee said. “Their positivity, enthusiasm, and school spirit are what keep this tradition going strong after 70 years.” 

After each race, a grade-level assembly took place with awards for top-five gender division finishers, sportsmanship, as well as brightest, funniest and most creative costume categories.  

Overall winners of the 2025 race across grade levels were eighth graders Otto Bodenhamer (boys - 3:40) and Frankie Alexander (girls – 3:45). A history of the Turkey Trot winners is available here. 

Shuksan is one of several schools throughout Bellingham Public Schools that hosts an annual race or event during the week of Thanksgiving before students and staff are off for the break on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28. 

  • Shuksan Middle School
  • Students and Families in Action