HCS Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 10K

Jeffers Hill, NC, November 23, 2000

Results courtesy of the Howard County Striders.

The Howard County Striders celebrated Thanksgiving with an unusual race in which the 77th person to finish won. The winner of the Turkey Trot 10k was not the fastest but the most accurate, being the person who completed the 6.2 hilly miles in the time closest to 11 am on Thanksgiving day. Runners could start at any time, shown on a large race clock, but they could not use watches or coaches once they began running. Most participants proved surprisingly accurate in spite of the cold morning and rugged Jeffers Hill course. Of the 133 entrants, 64 came within one minute of the appointed hour, and 32 came within 20 seconds. However, chance and good pacing allowed Jason Smith of Columbia, MD, to win the coveted "Golden Turkey" award as the most accurate. He finished within 2.89 seconds of 11 am. "I took my last 10k time and added 10 seconds," he rationalized about his method. In addition to the Golden Turkey, Jason also received a chocolate turkey (for his son) and a stuffed turkey (for his daughter).

Registered runners could also participate in the 2000 Civics Quiz in which they answered questions about the election. Al Greuter correctly answered most of the questions (for example, how many seats in the Senate do the Republicans now have?) and received a Strider Polo Shirt. After completing the hilly course, participants gathered in the neighborhood center to enjoy a vast array of pre-Thanksgiving snacks. "I don't care about 11 o'clock," said Tim Beaty, a veteran Turkey himself, "I just want to get back for the donuts." In additon to donuts, the Turkey Trotters enjoyed orange juice, apple cider, apples and bananas, and soft drinks left over from the Metric Marathon. Then they went home to have Thanksgiving dinner!

More than a race, the Turkey Trot served as a homecoming of sorts for a number of Howard County runners not often seen. Former River Hill champion Mike Styczynski returned from Ithaca, NY, for the race. In the area for his parents' 50th anniversary, 1980's Strider standout John Slocum also put in an appearance.

As they have done for the last 20 years, Dave and Judi Tripp directed the Turkey Trot Prediction 10k and also made up the questions and answers to the Civics Quiz.

TURKEY TROT 10k - TOP FINISHERS
Jeffers Hill Neighborhood Center - 23 November 2000

David Cleveland (Columbia, MD) 10:59:42.1
Russell Allwein (Ellicott City, MD) 10:59:43.2
Ann Corbo (Scituate, MA) 10:59:44.5
Bruce Worley (Columbia, MD) 10:59:45.0
Charlie Brown (Columbia, MD) 10:59:45.3
Martine Loeb (Columbia, MD) 10:59:45.6
Heather Bulter (Unknown, NA) 10:59:45.9
Robert Knaus (Dayton, MD) 10:59:46.3
Jim Grover (Columbia, MD) 10:59:46.6
Theresa Sachs (Columbia, MD) 10:59:46.8
Mike Stycsynski (Clarksville, MD) 10:59:47.3
Carldrickriss Haymon (Columbia, MD) 10:59:47.6
Bob Burns (Columbia, MD) 10:59:50.2
Brian Higgins (Columbia, MD) 10:59:54.3
Al Greuter (Columbia, MD) 10:59:55.5
Jean Frigeau (Unknown, NA) 10:59:56.0
Parul Patel (Unknown, NA) 10:59:56.3
Xariel Hernandez (Unknown, NA) 10:59:56.7
Jason Smith (Columbia, MD) 10:59:57.1
Linda Field (Columbia, MD) 11:00:04.2
Carl Wartzack (Unknown, NA) 11:00:06.1
Barbara Walters (Columbia, MD) 11:00:11.3
Ralpha Massella (Glenelg, MD) 11:00:12.2
Steven Anderson (Columbia, MD) 11:00:13.0
Noah Wood (Columbia, MD) 11:00:14.5
Rich Fox (Ellicott City, MD) 11:00:15.1
William MacCormac (Ellicott City, MD) 11:00:15.3
Lori Anderson (Unknown, NA) 11:00:15.8
Chad Boothe (Unknown, NA) 11:00:16.1
Adam Ukman (Unknown, NA) 11:00:16.4
Tim Smart (Columbia, MD) 11:00:17.0
John Slocum (Nashville, TN) 11:00:17.9