By Friday morning, cross-country ski tracks covered much of the newly certified Turkey Trot 5K course, but at 11 a.m. on Thursday, 251 people were raring to run, despite a Thanksgiving Day snowstorm and icy footing from an earlier snowfall. We ended up with 250 finishers, since one young man gallantly found another route when asked not to participate with his dog. As the volunteer Voice of the Turkey Trot Sean Murphy announced at the start, the snow and ice and cold temperatures (in the 20s) were our payback for saying it couldn't be worse than last year's thunderstorm. Times weren't as fast as previous years, due to the treacherous footing as well as the official course being 120 feet longer than before, so these new course records will be in danger next year. Nevertheless, the runners gave it their all, and well over half the field finished under 30 minutes. In one runner's opinion the weather was perfect for a November race in VT - the snow wasn't too heavy but enough to add charm to the event.

We had a technical difficulties with the big race clock, so times were called out as finishers crossed the line and places and times are listed below. One man slid across the finish line like he was sliding into home plate, and many finishers came in covered with snow, but luckily there were no reports of any injuries. Ricardo Santos of Billerica, MA, last year's second-place finisher, extended his lead in the last uphill kilometer, was way in front as he came into view at the 3-mile mark and went on to win in 16:54. Morrisville's Mark Churchill came in 32 seconds later (17:26), closely followed by Erik Malmstrom of South Burlington (17:32). Quite a big pack of men came in, then first woman Amy Haas of Brookline, MA, in 18th place overall, at 20:16. Second and third place women were Megan Hepp (20:54, 26th) and Wendy Ireland (22:59, 41st). Dave Fields finished the sixth  year of his streak of consecutive GMAA races, dashing through the snow in a blinding new GMAA singlet. GMAA President Charlie Windisch ran the Turkey Trot for the first time and now can say he's run every GMAA race. Ricardo and Amy took home beautiful Thanksgiving flowers donated by Maplehurst Florist, and various prizes were distributed by random draw. Prizes also went to the youngest finisher, age 6; the oldest, 64; and the runner who'd come from the farthest (Baltimore). Many thanks to volunteers Sean Murphy (announcements and finish line), Matt Czaplinski (course marking and finish line), Dave Fields (who provided a van for the food donations), Steve Eustis (for certifying the course), John and Ethan Treadwell (photos and directional assistance) and Jack and Bobby Treadwell (various assistance though distracted by the big pile of snow near Gutterson). For generous donations of prizes, thanks to Dan's Chocolates, EatingWell Magazine, Kiss the Cook, Maplehurst Florist, RunVermont, Scribbles, Vermont Mystic Pie Company, Vermont Teddy Bear Company, Wiliams-Sonoma and Women's Source for Sports.

And thanks to the runners and their families who came out on Thanksgiving with good cheer and generous support for the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf. We raised $769 and collected 550 pounds of nonperishable food donations!

-- Anne Treadwell

Link to snowy race photos