Cool temperatures greeted more than 6,000 runners for Thanksgiving’s annual Turkey Trot races in Southwood.
The conditions couldn’t have been better for Stan Linton and Katie Sherron.
Linton – a former Wakulla and Florida State runner – defended his 2024 title in the 15K (9.3 miles) with a course-record time of 46 minutes and 55 seconds. He finished four seconds ahead of his record-setting performance last year.
Linton, 31, a junior rank officer in the U.S. Navy based in Memphis, averaged 5:02 per mile and captured his fifth title since 2016. Twan Altorf placed second behind Linton at 52:46.
Sherron, 44, made a triumphant return to the 15K and was the first women’s finisher at 57:36, eighth overall. She also won the race when she last entered in 2021. Hannah Hosay finished second behind Sherron at 59:50.
Other overall winners included Sadio Fenner (32:19) in the 10K; Ben Kirbo (15:33) in the 5K; and Garrett Rolle (5:46) in the mile. Top women finishers included Alyson Churchill (36:32) in the 10K; Emma-Claire Tanenbaum (19:09) in the 5K; and Vera Landingham (6:28) in the mile.
Ideal temperatures greet Turkey Trot runners, friends & families
The temperature was around 50 degrees with slight winds for the four-race event (mile run, 5K, 10K and 15K) that started at 8 a.m.
It’s always a great time for runners like Linton and others to reconnect with families, friends and familiar faces.
The event also kicks off the holiday season.
“It was great temperatures, a great morning,” said Linton, who arrived in town mid-Wednesday with his wife Linsey and stepson Jameson Herog (they also ran in races Thursday) and squeezed in a 10-mile training run at Tom Brown Park.
“I felt like I was in a better spot than I was last year in terms of fitness and training. I felt like I could string together a good performance. It’s such a great environment – it’s a who’s who of Tallahassee (racers) that show up the for Turkey Trot.”
Sherron agreed, embracing her return to the race after being away with family on Thanksgiving the past few years. Her lone disappointment was not being able to stay with fellow 15K runner dressed in a turkey costume who finished 22 seconds in front of her.
“The weather was wonderful warmed up as we went,” Sherron said. “I think it went pretty smoothly from where I am from a fitness standpoint. I wanted to run it pretty evenly and I was able to do that. The hill on the last third of the course is also pretty challenging.”
For Christine Morse, 38, a former Chiles High runner and fitness coordinator at Premier Health and Fitness Center, the event served as a fun get-together for 13 family members who entered different race distances.
The group then met at her parents’ home (Bill and Janet) for Thanksgiving dinner.
“It’s great we can do this as a family,” said Morse said.
“It seems like you run into everyone you know, it’s like a reunion. It’s such uplifting and positive, just a great way to start the day. Your Thanksgiving meal is a big reward for running.”
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Turkey Trot about competing, celebrating family, friends & holidays
Reporting by Jim Henry, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
