Hoyt Gobbles Up Turkey Trot Bragging Rights Again

By Andy Hutchison

Kevin Hoyt, 21, gobbled up first place honors as he led a field of roughly 1,000 runners and walkers in the Second Annual Newtown Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, November 24. Hoyt, a Newtown resident, completed the 5K run in a time of 16:12, to finish ahead of Patterson, N.Y., runner Lucas Maher, 20 (16:18), and third-place competitor/Newtowner Zack Schwartz, 23 (16:29).

Competitors of various ages stuffed the Hawley School parking lot and took off for the start of the race shortly after 7:45 am on a crisp, sunny, 30-something degree Turkey Day. They worked up their big meal appetite and earned an extra slice of pumpkin pie by weaving 3.1 miles through town before coming to the finish line at Newtown Middle School.

Many participants simply wanted to be part of the event and just finishing was gravy. Hoyt, who darted out to an early lead, poured it on to claim first place for the second year in a row.

“Weather was great, volunteers were terrific — great support from the community,” commented John Godin, one of the race directors, as runners made their final turn into the middle school parking lot. Family members and friends of runners cheered them on along the course.

Godin said a four or five dozen volunteers — from those who helped with registrations to course officials ensuring safety for the competitors — helped make the event, in support of the Cyrenius H. Booth Library, a success for the second year in a row.

Jack Fergoson placed fourth in 17:21; Dan Shea was fifth in 17:38; Bob Koeppen was sixth in 18:16; Ryan Fox came in seventh in 18:23; Costantino Rago placed eighth in 18:29; Daniel Gallagher of Newtown was ninth in 18:33; and Kevin Kniery placed tenth in 18:35. The top female finisher was Micaela McMurrough, 35, of New York City. The Newtown native crossed the finish line in 20:22, good for 29th place. Race results indicated that there were 758 runners who completed the course.

Top 50 Newtown/Sandy Hook participants who followed Hoyt, Schwartz, and Gallagher, are as follows (placement, name, age, time): 11. Christopher Gamble, 14, 18:35; 17. Dave Conrad, 46, 19:14; 18. Joe Whelan, 47, 19:14; 22. David Oelberg, 48, 19:32; 25. Joey Whelan, 14, 19:47; 28. Pete Wlasuk, 20, 20:12; 30. Yossi Kohrman-Glaser, 16, 20:40; 31. Hannah Schwartz, 14, 20:44; 32. Tom Hislop, 42, 20:47; 33. John McFarland, 47, 20:46; 35. Riley Rising, 12, 20:54; 37. Joshua Bent, 11, 20:55; 38. Joel Duval, 11, 20:56; 40. Mara Scallon, 18, 21:11; 42. Katie Burns, 17, 21:10; 44. Anna Northrop, 15, 21:28; 45. Bill Begg, 48, 21:30; 50. Sean Burson, 17, 21:46.

Newtown/Sandy Hook residents who finished in the top three by age category are as follows: Female 19 and under – 1. Hannah Schwartz, 14, 20:47; 2. Mara Scallon, 18, 21:13; 3. Katie Burns, 17, 21:25. Female 20 to 29 – 2. Erin Nemeth, 20, 22:29; 3. Meghann Freeman, 28, 22:38. Female 30 to 39 – 1. Micaela McMurrough, 35, 20:24. Female 40 to 49 – 1. Monica Roberto, 42, 21:56; 2. Judy Toussaint, 46, 22:14; female 50 to 59 – 3. Deborah LeMien, 51, 24:33. Female 60 to 69 – 1. Anne Francis, 62, 28:04; 3. Deborah Henry, 61, 36:25. Male 19 and under – 3. Daniel Gallagher, 17, 18:33, Male 20 to 29 – 1. Kevin Hoyt, 21, 16:12; 3. Zack Schwartz, 23, 16:29. Male 40 to 49 – 3. Dave Conrad, 46, 19:15. Male 60 to 69 – 2. James Roodhuyzen, 62, 28:34; 3. Michael Giarratano, 66, 28:54.

For complete results, visit www.plattsys.com/m1shell.asp?eventid=834