Nov 2007 Race Report : Turkey Run Off 5K, 15K and Jr. 1K

Click here for video a minute after start.  Video has no sound.  Just imagine raindrops and quick footsteps.

Race Start: 8:04:36  .  Conditions: 40F Raining

Unlike October’s perfect race day weather, Mother Nature tried to show us she was in charge at the November race.  We recognized the challenges and still had 130 participants, plus the volunteers, braved the cold and rain to compete in the 5K, 15K or Kids’ K.

Thanks to James Gabhart and his space age tent, the weather did not prevent us from using our finish line technology to record the race statistics and display the results at the gazebo in nearly real time.  Thanks to having a mobile toys table, none of the over 40 gifts got wet.  Thanks to the many volunteers stepping up to help compensate for our 6 regulars either out of town or sick.  Mother Nature tried, but on this Saturday morning, the Plano Pacers were the winners.
 

The day belonged to the runners.  The club recognized seventeen Pacers with individual plaques highlighting age group records achieved this year.  With the poor weather, surely no additional records would be broken on such a miserable day.  Clint Bell established a new age group record (M25-29), on the 15K course.  His time of 52:09 outpaced his 2005 record of 53:46 by 1 minute and 37 seconds.  His plaque recognizing his 1 mile record must now be updated to include the 15K.  Maybe the update should be postponed until after the December race.
The 15K overall winner and new age group record holder in 52:09 was Clint Bell.  Joe Landry (M40-44), was the first master to cross the line in 57:55.  Kenny Gardner (M55-59), won the senior title in 1:12:59.  Joe and Kenny are both frequent winners at our races.  The Clydesdale race was won by James Royal (M45-49), with a time of 1:01, followed by James Dunn (M50-54), in 1:15:38.  With these fast times, we may have to review the qualifications for the Clydesdale category.

The most competitive age group in the 15K was the (M65-69): Bill Blackburn (1:13:11), Bob Abbott (1:14:24), and Bill Johnson (1:18:42).  I would call that a fit, fast group.
The OA female winner of the 15K was Sheila Natho (F40-44), in 1:07:30.  Frances McKissick (F45-49), was second in 1:10:43, which also won her the top master award. These are fast times for the 15K on a rainy, cold day.  Sheila and Frances were part of the 17 recognized for achieving age group records earlier this year.   Jeanne Pitz (F55-59), won the senior title in 1:33:44.
 

The 5K had 68 participants.  Matt Caterisano (M25-29), was the OA winner in 18:45.  He was followed by Bob Smeby (M50-54), in 19:28.  That time was fast enough for second overall and to be the first master to cross the line.   Bryce Wilson (M60-64), won the senior title in 23:25.  Adam Gray (M25-29), was the first Clydesdale to cross the line in 29:18.  He was followed by Ed Humphrey (M55-59), in 33:24.  Making sure Ed did not slow down, and bringing home 3rd, was Mark Salamasick (M55-59), in 33:57.  

Molly Burke (F20-24), was the OA 5K female winner running a very fast 19:55.  Linda Kelly (F55-59), was the first master to cross the line in 22:49.  Linda was also recognized for setting 3 age group records this year.  Janice Snyder (F60-64), won the senior title with a time of 33:34.

Six kids braved the rain and cold to run the Kids’ K.  All of them are worth mentioning:  Maria Collins F10 4:43, Sarah Heady F9 5:03, Sheela Sharma F9 6:42, Amanda Heady F5 8:47, Sunil Sharma M6 8:49, Katie Heady F4 9:18.  Great job kids!
(Picture from October)
The Ishii family had three members take home awards from the 5K race.  Hideo (M7-9), won first in his age group by completing the course in 27:37.  Hiroshi (M13-15), took home 3rd in his age by running a fast 21:40. Tami, (F35-39), was second in her age group with a 27:14 time.  This is quiet an accomplishment.  In October they took home 5 awards.  We may need to create a new awards category for families that run together.  Congratulations.
A special thanks to Mike Picard, Jennifer Rutledge, Maria Moore and family and Christy Heady and family for being called upon to perform extraordinary efforts to pull off this race.