There was a new race course for the The C. H. Booth Library’s 10th Anniversary Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning and Zach Schwartz and Rachel Sowinski led a field of approximately 1,400 runners and walkers.

Schwartz finished the course in a time of 16:04.8, edging Kevin Hoyt who came across the finish line in 16:10.9. Sowinski was the top female in a 15th-place time of 19:37.3.

The race unfolded on a blustery day in which temperatures were in the low 40s — warmer than it has been for the annual warmup for turkey and stuffing in past years.

Race organizers, this year, set up a new route with a flat, viewer-friendly course which began and finished at Newtown Middle School. The elimination of School Schoolhouse Road from the course was the most noticeable change for participants.

"Definitely a little easier without the big hill but it wasn't super fast I thought. Not much downhill either," Schwartz said.

Schwartz finished just ahead of fellow Newtown runner Hoyt after the tandem played catch-up in mile one.

"There were a couple of young guys that went out fast in the first mile. I wasn't sure we were going to catch them," Schwartz said. "We definitely pushed each other."

Hoyt is preparing for a marathon in California next week. "So it's kind of a taper for me and seeing how I am fitness-wise today," Hoyt said.

Sowinski, of Milford, wasn't running just for that stuffing and pumpkin pie but for cake, too.

"It's my 25th birthday today. A 5K on your 25th birthday — good deal," Sowinski said.

The third through tenth place finishers were Jake Krong, Karter Seitz, Kane Breuer, Spencer Lyman, Justin Halmose, Robert Harkin, Ryan Fox, and Ryan Escoda.

For complete results, visit www.aratrace.com.

CLICK HERE for video of runners at the start.