Whitehead and Rittenhouse jingle all the way to victory

In Albany, Georgia, on Saturday morning, 6 December 2014, Darton State College psychology professor Dr. Patrick Whitehead left the field of the Jingle Bell Jog 10K far, far behind. Winning the 27th annual race by over 1200 meters, Whitehead ran 34:35, possibly the fastest 10K ever at the Jingle Bell Jog and certainly the fastest in the past ten years. Arnoldo DeJesus finished runner-up in 39:40, and Ashley Peacock was third in 40:46. Dennis Moore of Leesburg, Georgia, was the top master runner, placing fourth overall in 41:40.


Albany's Julia Rittenhouse was first in the women's standings, running the 6.2-mile race in 46:35. Ashley Barrow edged Mandy Phillips for the second women's spot, 48:43 to 48:54. Albany's Donna Butler was the first woman master in the race, coming in 49th overall in 52:47.


Top Ten Men, 2014 Jingle Bell Jog 10K

1. 34:34.65 ~ Patrick Whitehead (M, 28) 
2. 39:39.10 ~ Arnoldo DeJesus (M, 28) 
3. 40:45.32 ~ Ashley Peacock (M, 33) 
4. 41:40.00 ~ Dennis Moore (M, 46) 
5. 42:50.68 ~ Kurt Anthony (M, 49) 
6. 43:30.28 ~ Jeff Royer (M, 54) 
7. 43:49.72 ~ Antonio Braswell (M, 18) 
8. 43:53.83 ~ Dennis Fuchs (M, 45) 
9. 44:01.28 ~ Brooks Mitchell (M, 25) 
10. 44:14.38 ~ David Vann (M, 57) 

Top Ten Women, 2014 Jingle Bell Jog 10K

1. 46:34.72 ~ Julia Rittenhouse (F, 29) 
2. 48:42.18 ~ Ashley Barrow (F, 33) 
3. 48:53.24 ~ Mandy Phillips (F, 37) 
4. 50:19.42 ~ Brooke Marshall (F, 30) 
5. 50:42.59 ~ Amelia Gibbs (F, 37) 
6. 51:28.84 ~ Emily Phillips (F, 10) 
7. 51:32.57 ~ Angela Gattie (F, 33) 
8. 51:33.26 ~ Lindsey Giles (F, 33) 
9. 51:37.03 ~ Karla Spurlin (F, 30) 
10. 52:46.27 ~ Kelly Roberson (F, 35) 

David Thornton was the overwhelming winner of the Jingle Bell Jog 5K. Crossing the finish line almost 400 meters ahead of the next athlete, the Darton State College cross-country runner posted a 16:45 winning time in the junior race. Another Darton State harrier, Austin Stewart, took second in 18:05. Westover High senior Demetris McCray was third in 18:24, and Deerfield-Windsor School frosh Ethan Merritt finished fourth in 19:10. Brannon White of Albany was the fastest master runner in the short race, coming in ninth overall in 21:13.


Brittney Skiles was a junior on the track team at Lee County High School when she won the women's title at the Jingle Bell Jog 5K in 2005. In 2014 Skiles topped the women's division of that race for the sixth time in the past ten years with a 19:35--not her fastest Jingle Bell Jog time, but faster than the 19:47 she ran as a high school athlete. Skiles is currently the cross-country coach for Georgia Southwestern. Finishing runner-up for the women was a current high school student, Crisp Academy senior Katherine McGarr. McGarr was 11th overall in 21:42. 2012 Jingle Bell Jog 5K women's champion Charlene Pennymon placed third in the women's standings. The first woman master in the race, Pennymon was 21st overall in 23:27.


Top Ten Men, 2014 Jingle Bell Jog 5K

1. 16:44.46 ~ David Thornton (M, 21)
2. 18:04.29 ~ Austin Stewart (M, 19)
3. 18:23.33 ~ Demetris McCray (M, 17)
4. 19:09.84 ~ Ethan Merritt (M, 14)
5. 20:37.18 ~ Jimmy Creamer (M, 16)
6. 20:37.90 ~ Ford Bennett (M, 14)
7. 21:04.65 ~ Caine Bickerstaff (M, 26)
8. 21:12.63 ~ Brannon White (M, 50)
9. 21:36.47 ~ Rupert Dyer, Jr. (M, 14)
10. 22:20.88 ~ Tom Rittenhouse (M, 32)

Top Ten Women, 2014 Jingle Bell Jog 5K

1. 19:34.65 ~ Brittney Skiles (F, 25)
2. 21:41.05 ~ Katherine McGarr (F, 17)
3. 23:26.62 ~ Charlene Pennymon (F, 50)
4. 24:04.54 ~ Deena Willcox (F, 12)
5. 24:15.85 ~ Gail Morris (F, 33)
6. 24:19.70 ~ Nancy Herring (F, 59)
7. 24:38.44 ~ Caroline Taylor (F, 13)
8. 25:01.27 ~ Stacie Smith (F, 25)
9. 25:52.47 ~ Willa Dyer (F, 12)
10. 26:09.93 ~ Lauren Ballenger (F, 13)

A benefit for the Phoebe Foundation, the Jingle Bell Jog has been an institution in Albany, Georgia, for 27 years. 206 runners finished the 10K in 2014, with another 452 in the 5K.

Winners of the Albany Jingle Bell Jog, 2004 - 2014
Date	Distance	Men	Women	Finishers
4 December 2004	10K
	5K	18:40, Warren Juster	20:37, Wendy Donnan	311
3 December 2005	10K	37:25, Robert Feldman	43:34, Ashley Elam	104
	5K	18:06, Cooper Browning	19:47, Brittney Skiles	236
2 December 2006	10K	37:42, Brandon Skiles	45:45, Wendy Donnan	155
	5K	16:43, Bruce Skiles	21:06, Kelly Conway	241
1 December 2007	10K	*26:00, Roman Drankin	*35:13, Jennifer Pollock	132
	5K	16:19, David Marley	19:22, Brittney Skiles	332
6 December 2008	10K	35:54, Josh Fix	46:14, Andrean Edwards	160
	5K	15:52, David Marley	20:11, Brittney Skiles	325
5 December 2009	10K	36:12, Adam Ross	47:03, Brenna Waack	149
	5K	16:59, Brandon Skiles	19:07, Brittney Skiles	242
4 December 2010	10K	35:51, Adam Ross	45:23, Karen Hamby	194
	5K	19:57, Will Howell	22:49, Katherine McGarr	351
3 December 2011	10K	36:24, Nathan Norton	43:50, Jane Spetoskey	229
	5K	17:06, Heath Lamb	21:28, Beth Young	485
1 December 2012	10K	37:28, Josh Fix	46:30, Anne Cheek	271
	5K	17:49, Wright Calhoun	23:00, Charlene Pennymon	616
7 December 2013	10K	41:22, Duncan Moore	47:15, Heidi Taylor	217
	5K	17:12, Austin Stewart	19:23, Brittney Skiles	590
6 December 2014	10K	34:35, Patrick Whitehead	46:35, Julia Rittenhouse	206
	5K	16:45, David Thornton	19:35, Brittney Skiles	452

Links

• Complete results of the 2014 Albany Jingle Bell Jog at active.com
  http://results.active.com/events/jingle-bell-jog-5k-10k
  
  
• 2012 story, "Mathematician Fix adds a Jingle Bell Jog title to his resumé"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2012/12/albany-jingle-2012.html
  
  
• 2010 story, "Ross and Hamby ring up wins at Albany's Jingle Bell 10K"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2010/12/albany-jingle-2010.html
  
  
• Find more races in Albany or other cities within 100 miles of Tallahassee!
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

#1258

Lake and Rosen back on top at Turkey Trot

Last year, Chris Lake’s five-year winning streak at the Tallahassee Turkey Trot 15K ended with a third-place finish. On Thursday morning, 27 November 2014, he was a Turkey Trot champion once again, winning the 9.3-mile race through Southwood in 49:37.


“I was trying to beat my time from two years ago,” said Lake.


He did. It was Lake’s fastest time yet at the Turkey Trot, and the fastest winning time in the race since 1995 when Jessie Close ran 49:12. Lake ran most of the race alone, leading nearly wire-to-wire and finishing almost half a mile ahead of the next runner. Stephen Cox placed second in 52:11 with Roger Schmidt taking third in 52:38 and Nate Kaiser fourth in 53:32. Seattle, Washington, distance runner Chris Fendrich was the fastest master runner in the race, placing fifth overall in 54:33.


“The women’s competition was excellent this year,” said Tallahassee lawyer Sheryl Rosen. “Seeley, Allison, Adriana, and Lauren were all up there.”


Excelling most was Rosen, who won her third straight Turkey Trot 15K women’s title, and her sixth since 2006. She didn’t come into the race with a lot of confidence, though.


“I’ve been injured and I haven’t raced for a year,” explained Rosen. “My leg still isn’t 100%. I started off conservative, about 6:45 per mile. Then I slowly inched my way up.”


Halfway through the race, Adriana Piekarewicz had just overtaken Mary Masterton to take the lead in the women’s field. Farther back, Lauren Poulos and Seeley Lovett chased the leaders followed by Sheryl Rosen and Allison Eagen. Over the final miles, Poulos moved up into the lead. Rosen was moving as well.


“I got up to Lauren Poulos at eight miles,” said Rosen. After that, “We traded the lead for about a mile. We were neck and neck down the hill.”

That was the final downhill on Merchants Row Boulevard toward the finish line on Esplanade Way. On that slope, Rosen broke away to take the lead for the final time, going on to win in 60:19. Poulos was the women's runner-up in 60:52. Adriana Piekarewicz was third in the women's standings at 61:03, while 2010 women's winner Allison Eagen followed in fourth at 62:33. Early leader Mary Masterton was the fifth woman finisher, running 62:41. Stephanie Liles-Weyant of Tallahassee was the top woman master, running 66:36.


Top Ten Men, Gulf Winds Track Club's 2014 Tallahassee Turkey Trot 15K

1. 49:37 ~ Chris Lake (M, 27) Tallahassee, FL
2. 52:11 ~ Stephen Cox (M, 31) Tallahassee, FL
3. 52:39 ~ Roger Schmidt (M, 23) Tallahassee, FL
4. 53:32 ~ Nate Kaiser (M, 35) Tallahassee, FL
5. 54:33 ~ Chris Fendrich (M, 45) Seattle, WA
6. 55:36 ~ Charlie Johnson (M, 35) Tallahassee, FL
7. 56:41 ~ Bryce Van Dam (M, 27) Tallahassee, FL
8. 57:01 ~ Kyle Harris (M, 20) Bainbridge, GA
9. 57:19 ~ James McClure (M, 15) Tallahassee, FL
10. 57:17 ~ Evan Beauchamp (M, 26) Smyrna, GA

Top Ten Women, Gulf Winds Track Club's 2014 Tallahassee Turkey Trot 15K

1. 60:19 ~ Sheryl Rosen (F, 30) Tallahassee, FL
2. 60:52 ~ Lauren Poulos (F, 28) Tallahassee, FL
3. 61:02 ~ Adriana Piekarewicz (F, 26) Tallahassee, FL
4. 62:41 ~ Allison Eagen (F, 35) Tallahassee, FL
5. 62:45 ~ Mary Masterton (F, 28) Orlando, FL
6. 63:24 ~ Seeley Gutierrez (F, 38) Tallahassee, FL
7. 64:46 ~ Cristina Bilder (F, 27) Plugerville, TX
8. 66:36 ~ Stephanie Liles-Weyant (F, 42) Tallahassee, FL
9. 66:36 ~ Melissa Thompson (F, 30) Thomasville, GA
10. 66:51 ~ Jillian Heddaeus (F, 31) Tallahassee, FL

Nearly 500 runners finished the 2014 Turkey Trot 15K, but more than 4500 additional athletes were simultaneously competing in the 10K and the 5K. David Thornton, a cross-country runner for Darton State College in Albany, Georgia, won the 10K in 34:49, finishing more than half a mile ahead of the next runner in the race. Tallahassee master runner Marci Gray led the women’s field from start to finish to take the women’s title with a 40:50.


Top Ten Men, Gulf Winds Track Club's 2014 Tallahassee Turkey Trot 10K

1. 34:49 ~ David Thornton (M, 21) Albany, GA
2. 39:02 ~ Patrick Dawson (M, 23) St. Petersburg Beach, FL
3. 39:06 ~ Arnoldo De Jesus (M, 28) Albany, GA
4. 39:27 ~ Terance Keenan (M, 50) Tallahassee, FL
5. 39:31 ~ Jon Nash (M, 35) Tallahassee, FL
6. 39:31 ~ Jason Venema (M, 32) Tallahassee, FL
7. 39:52 ~ Caleb Carmichael (M, 30) Pensacola, FL
8. 40:03 ~ Daniel Volya (M, 15) Tallahassee, FL
9. 40:03 ~ Jon Mason (M, 40) Tallahassee, FL
10. 41:16 ~ Alex Brickler (M, 29) Tallahassee, FL

Top Ten Women, Gulf Winds Track Club's 2014 Tallahassee Turkey Trot 10K

1. 40:50 ~ Marci Gray (F, 40) Tallahassee, FL
2. 43:29 ~ Kristin Sweeney (F, 20) Tallahassee, FL
3. 43:29 ~ Ellen Sweeney (F, 19) Tallahassee, FL
4. 44:53 ~ Lauren Huckaba (F, 27) Tallahassee, FL
5. 47:50 ~ Sara Lane (F, 20) Tallahassee, FL
6. 47:50 ~ Rachel Givens (F, 20) Tallahassee, FL
7. 48:29 ~ Sandy Holt (F, 29) Tallahassee, FL
8. 49:41 ~ Kim Likens (F, 46) Tallahassee, FL
9. 49:21 ~ Savannah Sutherland (F, 17) Tallahassee, FL
10. 49:16 ~ Laura Reina (F, 50) Tallahassee, FL

In the 5K, last year's Turkey Trot 15K winner, Joshua Seitz, found himself in a fight for the lead with Remy Tamer and Arnoldo De Jesus. Seitz, a volunteer assistant coach for the FSU cross country team, pulled away late in the race to win the 3.1-mile event in 15:51. Tamer was second in 15:57 and De Jesus third in 16:00. Swift Creek Middle School cross-country runner Alyson Churchill edged Maclay’s Lindsay James for the top spot in the women’s standings, 20:59 to 21:01.


Top Ten Men, Gulf Winds Track Club's 2014 Tallahassee Turkey Trot 5K

1. 15:52 ~ Joshua Seitz (M, 25) Tallahassee, FL
2. 15:57 ~ Remy Tamer (M, 25) Tallahassee, FL
3. 16:01 ~ Bill Clift (M, 25) Tallahassee, FL
4. 17:11 ~ Paul Lagno (M, 24) Tallahassee, FL
5. 17:29 ~ Taylor Buzzard (M, 20) Tallahassee, FL
6. 17:32 ~ Bryce Cole (M, 16) Crawfordville, FL
7. 17:48 ~ Ryan Truchelut (M, 29) Tallahassee, FL
8. 17:51 ~ Danny Moore (M, 16) Tallahassee, FL
9. 17:59 ~ Michael Martinez (M, 48) Tallahassee, FL
10. 17:59 ~ Mickey Moore (M, 44) Tallahassee, FL

Top Ten Women, Gulf Winds Track Club's 2014 Tallahassee Turkey Trot 5K

1. 20:59 ~ Alyson Churchill (F, 12) Tallahassee, FL
2. 21:01 ~ Lindsay James (F, 11) Tallahassee, FL
3. 21:08 ~ Heather Streeval (F, 40) Tallahassee, FL
4. 21:57 ~ Paula O'Neill (F, 53) Tallahassee, FL
5. 22:03 ~ Katherine Resavage (F, 13) Tallahassee, FL
6. 24:11 ~ Morgan Phillips (F, 18) Tallahassee, FL
7. 24:26 ~ Rebekah Hudson (F, 19) Tallahassee, FL
8. 22:22 ~ Julia Rose Travis (F, 16) Tallahassee, FL
9. 22:33 ~ Marisa Ashley (F, 12) Panama City Beach, FL
10. 22:47 ~ Emma Travis (F, 16) Tallahassee, FL

Links

• Complete results of Gulf Winds Track Club's 2014 Turkey Trot at gulfwinds.org
  http://www.gulfwinds.org/raceresults/2014/Turkey%20Trot%202014.asp
  
  
• More photos of Gulf Winds Track Club's 2014 Tallahassee Turkey Trot
  
  • Part 1: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10105380557042403.1073742044.5215641&l=c07209e951
  • Part 2: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10105383429336303.1073742045.5215641&l=f66d4dabb3
  • Part 3: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10105384640114893.1073742046.5215641&l=aff82bb965
  
  
• Fred Deckert's photos of Gulf Winds Track Club's 2014 Tallahassee Turkey Trot
  
  • https://picasaweb.google.com/112560881455823075870/TurkeyTrot14Mile
  • https://picasaweb.google.com/112560881455823075870/TurkeyTrot14A
  • https://picasaweb.google.com/112560881455823075870/TurkeyTrot14B
  • https://picasaweb.google.com/112560881455823075870/TurkeyTrot14C
  
  
• 2013 story, "Seitz and Rosen speed through Southwood to Turkey Trot 15K titles"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2013/11/turkey-trot-2013.html
  
  
• 2012 story, "Lake and Rosen take titles as 6,000 runners take in Turkey Trot"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2012/11/turkey-trot-2012.html
  
  
• 2011 story, "Lake and 5,100 runners decide Turkey Trot is 'just right'"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2011/11/turkey-trot-2011.html
  
  
• 2010 story, "Nearly 5,000 runners devour four races at 2010 Tallahassee Turkey Trot"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2010/11/turkey-trot-2010.html
  
  
• 2009 story, "No Turkeys Were Harmed in the Trotting of this Race"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2009/11/no-turkeys-were-harmed-in-trotting-of.html
  
  
• Gulf Winds Track Club's Tallahassee Turkey Trot
  http://tallyturkeytrot.com/
  
  
• Find upcoming races, poultry and non-poultry alike, on the Trouble Afoot! calendar
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

#1250