Erik Oeverndiek/Daily Journal Notre Dame High School students chase John Ottersberg, right, during the school’s second annual Turkey Trot in Belmont.

Donning a large turkey costume, John Ottersberg began running just a few minutes before hundreds of teenage girls and a handful of faculty members were released from the Notre Dame High School gym yesterday.

This year’s Turkey Trot, the second annual, had a longer course thanks to the beautiful weather. Some participants took the time to dress up. Others benefited with participating by winning a free dress day pass — meaning they do not need to wear a uniform. Either way, everyone involved helped others. A $1 entry fee was collected for prizes. Last year’s debut resulted in a $300 donation to Second Harvest, a local food bank.

This year’s head start boded well for the tall turkey who did not have such a lead last year, as the rainy weather inspired a number of last-minute changes to the race.

“I was able to take on one hunter at a time,” Ottersberg said of this year’s race.

The track, which encircled the school twice, proved difficult in the avian getup as Ottersberg, director of campus ministry, dropped to the grass upon reaching the finish line.

The annual event began last year after Director of Student Activities Theresa Vallez-Kelly noted such races seem to take place everywhere she and her husband spend Thanksgiving.

“It’s such a fun way to start the holidays. Also, it makes you feel a little less guilty about all the food,” she said.

Everyone gathered for a prayer prior to heading out. Those not participating were able to follow the turkey. Those running had to wait a bit. This resulted in Ottersberg having at least eight minutes to run solo, as opposed to last year where he did not reach 200 feet before being mobbed by students. Students who reach Ottersberg can collect a feather which was later redeemed for the free dress day passes.

The experience was a positive one for Ottersberg who pointed to the fun and helpful nature of the event as a reason he would participate in future years.

Although the only turkey trotting yesterday, Ottersberg was not the only food item running for others.

Seventeen-year-old Kelly Schaaf, a senior, wore a brown fleece and wrapped a white sheet over white sweats and a necklace sign explaining she was mashed potatoes and gravy. With some water causing the ink on the sign to run, Schaaf noted it made the outfit more gravy-like.

Senior Sarah Hegarty decided to spend the day dressed as a food which she cannot eat: Corn. Hegarty is allergic to corn, an inconvenience she noted since it’s in most foods. Allergy aside, Hegarty seemed to have no visible reaction to her corn-inspired outfit.

Hegarty walked rather than ran the trot with 17-year-old Rachel Owns who dressed as a cranberry.

Many girls wore headbands with feathers. The student and faculty member who came in first will each be awarded a $25 gift certificate to the store of their choice.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.