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| Aroostook Republican photo/Jon Gulliver Spencer McElwain of Caribou wins the 26th annual Turkey Trot 5K race held Saturday in Caribou. McElwain had a time of 16:11. |
By Jon Gulliver
Staff writer
CARIBOU — A sunny, warm November morning helped bring out a record crowd of 160 runners and walkers to the 26th annual Turkey Trot in Caribou on Saturday.
First-year race director Evan Graves said it was a huge surprise to see so many runners.
“I was shocked by the turnout,” said Graves. “This is great for the running community and hopefully this momentum can continue to other races in the area.”
This 5K race is unique to the region; you get a lot of first-time runners according to Graves. You also get folks home for the Thanksgiving holiday and even runners in turkey costumes.
Dan Harrigan was the longtime organizer of this race, but with Graves taking over that duty, he had a chance to run in the event and won his age group earning his first ever “Wooden Turkey.”
The overall winner, for the second straight year, was Spencer McElwain of Caribou in a time of 16:11.7. Gabriel Cyr of Madawaska was the top female finisher. She cruised the course in 19:32.7.
In the walking division Jason Sprague was the winner by four seconds over Ellen Langley.
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| Aroostook Republican photo/Jon Gulliver Gabriel Cyr of Madawaska was the first women to cross the finish line at the 26th Turkey Trot 5K held in Caribou on Saturday. |
“It’s my hope that people had a positive experience running the race,” said Graves. “I was hoping for about 100 runners and that would have been great. Seeing 160 kind of scared me,” he said jokingly.
This year’s race, which was sponsored by Cary Medical Center, was put held as a fundraiser for the Class of 2014 at Caribou High School. Other sponsors included Reno’s Restaurant, Sleepers, Paradis Shop n’ Save, S.W Collins Company, Thompson and Hamel, and the woodworking class at the Caribou Regional Technical Center at Caribou High School. Graves also praised the volunteers for helping make the event a success.
Planning for next year’s Turkey Trot on Saturday, Nov. 25 is already under way. See full results below.
