By shelly williams/managing editor
A whistle blew as participants jumped up and down in the cold weather with water bottles in hand to ready themselves for a five-kilometer or three-mile run on NE Campus.
Despite the wet conditions and temperatures in the 50s, about 100 sprinters, joggers, walkers, children and a woman with a dog ran along the pavement as part of the annual Turkey Trot Nov. 20.
Participants submitted an entry fee of at least two canned goods for charity to join in the exercise.
“We have it every year, and every year it seems like it’s a little bit bigger in general,” NE physical education instructor Bart Desender said.
As participants rounded their way around the course, some with headphones and music measuring their pace, coaches and timers cheered on runners in all three laps.
Two participants, placing second and third in the women’s category with a second between them, joined the Turkey Trot for the first time to prepare for the White Rock Marathon Dec. 13.
“I feel like it should have been a tie,” NE student and third-place finisher Charity Thompson joked with her friend.
“It was a lot of fun. It’s a lot more personal than the huge ones,” Argieree Potter said about the race.
Though not a student at TCC, Potter said she’d definitely participate next year.
As runners crossed the finish line, they congratulated each other for completing the race, tried to catch their breaths and dug into refreshments while waiting to hear the announcement of the winners.
In the women’s category, first place went to NE student Sarah Artiles at 22 minutes, 36 seconds.
Second went to Potter at 23 minutes, 22 seconds while third went to Thompson at 23 minutes, 23 seconds.
First place in the men’s category went to John Martin at 20 minutes even. Jose Valles placed second at 20 minutes, 10 seconds while Juan Gonzalez finished at 20 minutes, 12 seconds to take third place.
First-place winners took home turkeys as prizes while second and third place received Cornish hens.
“Because of the weather, we didn’t have as many participants,” Desender said. “It was a good turnout, just not as many people as last year.”