All-America runner Elias Gonzalez wins 10K on his first try while Tony Teats finishes second for third straight year.
By BOB PUTNAM
Published November 28, 2003
CLEARWATER - After finishing 28th overall and earning All-America honors at the NCAA Division II cross country championship meet last weekend, Elias Gonzalez did not know if he had the wherewithal to compete in another race four days later.
The University of Tampa senior was spent. His legs throbbed. His feet ached.
But Gonzalez couldn't stay away. He did some light training in the days leading up to the 25th Times Turkey Trot and felt he had enough stamina to participate.
It turned out to be a wise decision.
A first-time entry, Gonzalez took control from the start in the showcase event, the 10K. He set a personal record to win in 31 minutes, 35 seconds.
In the women's 10K, Coral Springs' Mary Level-Menton, a three-time Olympic Trials qualifier in the marathon, extended her record number of wins to eight, finishing in 36:53.
Level-Menton, 40, had significant training leading up to the event. Last month, she finished fourth in the master's division at the USATF 10K Championship in Boston, beating 1984 Olympic marathon gold medalist Joan Samuelson.
In contrast, Gonzalez had just three light workouts this week.
"I was really surprised by how I did because I really didn't know how I would hold up," Gonzalez said.
Noncommittal until the day of the race, Gonzalez's surprise entry and win came at the expense of East Lake's Tony Teats, who finished as runnerup for the third consecutive year.
Much like last year, Teats faded about 21/2 miles into the race as Gonzalez got a few steps ahead and pulled away.
"Ugghh. Another second-place finish," said Teats, who finished in 32:07. "That seems to be the story whenever I enter this race."
Before it, Teats felt capable of winning. He ran 31:47 and beat last year's Trot winner, Scott Winnier, at the Peachtree 10K on July 4 in Atlanta.
"I even thought I had a chance with Gonzalez in the mix," Teats said. "I just ran out of gas."
With the event celebrating its silver anniversary, a record 12,608 participated in the three races: the 5K (3.1-mile) Wingding, the mile Gobbler and the 10K (6.2-mile) Turkey Trot.
A record 7,038 ran in the 5K, 3,483 in the mile and 2,087 in the 10K.
"Just by looking at the number of people who registered in advance I knew we were going to have a big turnout," race committee chairman Skip Rogers said. "I'm sure a lot of that has to do with the anniversary. It's the 25th year and people want to be a part of that."
