Turkey Trot provides fitness for students, food for needy

Autumn’s overcast clouds and 16 mph winds didn’t discourage students from participating in the 6th annual NE Campus Turkey Trot race.More than 100 students showed up in sweat pants, shorts and tennis shoes to participate in the 5K run/food drive hosted by the NE HPE department.

Instructional associate Laura Bradford started the idea of adding the food drive to the Turkey Trot three years ago.

“In this economy, they [the unfortunate] need food,” Bradford said.

Participants now donate food to enter the Turkey Trot, and the top three runners for men and women received turkeys weighing 10 to 20 pounds. The two last-place runners for men and women received coffee mugs.

The first person to cross the finish line was NE student Crystal Chinea.

“I just wanted to run,” said Chinea, who came in first place in the women’s run at 19:26. She said she also ran in the New York City Marathon earlier this month and set a personal best there at 3:12:56.

Heather Jones placed second at 22:54. Third-place winner and first-time participant Anel Hidalgo hit the finish line at 23:13. Her prize turkey weighed more than 13 pounds.

“I thought it was going to be harder,” Hidalgo said about the race.

NE student Juan Gonzalez ran for the fourth time and came in third in 2009.

“I think it’s a good cause,” he said.

The men started one minute after the women and finished slightly slower. First place for the men was NE student Mike Fitzpatrick with a time of 20:04. Second place went to Clement Okeyiwda at 20:24, and third-place Roberto Aguilar finished with 20:30.

“It’s good to help people, and it helps us as well,” said NE student Lorenzo Rosas.