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A good trot had by all

A record number of participants sprinted, gobbled and wobbled over the finish line.

By BOB PUTNAM, Times Staff Writer
Published November 23, 2007

Clearwater firefighter Patrick Conrey shows that his uniform doesn't slow him down as he runs along Keene Road after the start of the 5K Wingding on Thursday. Photo gallery Race results
	[Jim Damaske | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT [Douglas R. Clifford | Times] From left: Charlie Flowers, of Largo, Blake Esrey, of Clearwater, an Bryce Busjahn, of Treasure Island, prepare to take a position at the starting line for the Gobbler one mile walk / run while attending the 29th annual Times Turkey Trot in Clearwater.

CLEARWATER - The Times Turkey Trot brings out all kinds of participants, from elite runners aiming for top times to the more casual ones content on completing the course at a leisurely pace.

Then there are those who play dressup.

In the 10K race, Ainslie and Kathlyn Mackovjak sprinted toward the finish line, hands held together, arms raised in unison. Ainslie, 42, was wearing a Pilgrim outfit. Kathlyn, 38, sported Indian garb.

The sisters were running together in the event for the first time.

"I'm here visiting my sister from Honolulu," Ainslie said. "There, we have races where people dress up all the time. It's fun."

Finishing a few minutes ahead of the Mackovjaks was Patrick Conrey, a Clearwater firefighter. Conrey decided to wear his bunker gear and run both the 5K and 10K to honor Oscar Armstrong III, a firefighter who died four years ago in Cincinnati.

"This was all for a worthwhile cause," he said.

All the races began on Keene Road, a four-lane major thoroughfare.

There, runners were greeted by Charlie Flowers, 18, Blake Esrey, 16, and Bryce Busjahn, 14. The three Indian Rocks Christian students were decked out in Turkey costumes to support the school's wrestling team.

"We have to do community service at school," Flowers said. "We figured we might as well have fun doing it."

With the Trot celebrating its 29th anniversary, a record 16,506 registered for the races.

The 5K 3.1 mile Wingding again was the most popular race, with 10,071 entrants, compared with 4,001 for the 1-mile Gobbler and 2,434 for the 10K (6.2 mile) Turkey Trot.

The races have become so popular, organizers are considering adding a fourth race next year.

"We're looking at an 8K race," race director Skip Rogers said.

In Thursday's 5K races, Tyrone Bell and Jacki Wachtel were the men's and women's winners, respectively.

Former Keswick Christian and USF standout Christa Benton won her third straight women's 10K title. Elias Gonzalez won the men's title for the third time.

"I love coming back to this race," Gonzalez said. "It's tradition."

Bob Putnam can be reached at putnam@sptimes.com or (727) 445-4169.

Fast facts

For more coverage

Take a closer look at some of the first-hand experiences from the race and view more pictures of the day's events, Page 6.

[Last modified November 22, 2007, 22:22:09]