Throng of 300 in Mamaroneck's Turkey Trot: Results

by Lisa Hamm-Greenawalt

(December 1, 2004) Hundreds of runners of all ages turned out despite cool temperatures and overcast skies to honor a Mamaroneck Thanksgiving tradition, the annual Turkey Trot 5-Mile Race and 1-mile Gobbler Run, on Sunday morning, November 21, at Harbor Island Park.

The two-year-old Sound Shore Runners & Multisport Club, based in Larchmont and Mamaroneck, brought a new dimension to the 2004 race, providing 25 volunteers and improvements such as an accurately measured course, mile splits with people calling out times, volunteers handing out water at the end, and raffle prizes at the awards ceremony.

David Yockelson, 40, of Rye Brook, led the field of 300 runners through the streets of Orienta, past Hommocks Middle School and back up the Boston Post Road, winning the five-mile race in 28 minutes and 26 seconds. Australian Michelle Bleakley, 37, who moved to Mamaroneck this year and is a member of the Sound Shore Runners, was the first woman. Bleakley set a personal record of 29 minutes and 28 seconds just two weeks after she was the 1st Westchester County female and 27th woman overall to finish the New York City Marathon (in 2:52).

The first Mamaroneck village resident was Carlos Garcia, 26, with a time of 28:53. Bleakley was the first village female. The Sound Shore Runners' Philip Giles completed the Turkey Trot for the 22nd time, though he declined to say what his time was. (Complete results are posted in a "very low-tech" version at club's website.

Mamaroneck Avenue School brought a huge contingent of kids and their families to run (or walk or be carried, depending on their ages) the one-mile Gobbler Run. Twelve-year-old Richie O'Donnell won the race in 5:21, and 11-year-old Alexandra Cappelo of Scarsdale was the first girl, in 6:11.

The Sound Shore Runners & Multisport Club is a two-year-old club for local runners, cyclists and multisport athletes. Anyone interested in more information can email info@soundshorerun.com or check out the website, www.soundshorerun.com. Results from the race are also posted there.