Ann Arbor Turkey Trot
Kona Chocolate Run, Plymouth
Ann Arbor Turkey Trot Moves Downtown, Draws Record Crowds
First Kona Chocolate Run is Sweet Success By Anthony Targan
By Tracey Cohen
Video frame by Jennie McCafferty
© Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios
PLYMOUTH (11/17/13) — As someone who owns a shirt with the motto “Will Run for Beer,” I can understand that we all have different reasons for running. But I never could have imagined how a little chocolate could attract thousands of runners to Plymouth on a rainy mid-November morning.
“The guys really helped and were very friendly,” said Gryniewicz. “It was nice to run together. I was lucky they were ahead of me.”
Susi Cook of Farmington Hills was the second woman and first master in 19:09, followed by Michelle Urben (20:29).
In another second-place finish for the Foleys, Lee’s wife Leah overcame injury and illness to struggle to a 41:46 finish. She joked that she “didn’t want to lose to the dog” she chased for over five miles. Heather
The 1-mile race was mostly for kids, with Alexa Rybicki, 13, of Plymouth and Jackson Campbell, 9, of White Lake posting identical winning times of 6:34. And the chocolate party was for kids of all ages! - MR -
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Michigan Runner - January / February 2014
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Falling snow greeted runners starting the 5K run. ANN ARBOR (11/28/13) — Three miles, hills, hot-chocolate aid stations and lightly-falling snow made a perfect start for Thanksgiving as nearly 3,000 runners ran through downtown to Michigan Stadium and back at the eighth annual Ann Arbor Turkey Trot. “The University of Michigan was a great partner,” said race director Ron Suffolk about this year’s change of venue. “We sort of outgrew that location. Plus, folks want to run in town!” Finisher Katie White said she liked the downhills and well-marked course. Although organizers chose to make this year’s trot noncompetitive, she appreciated the clock at the finish recording “my second-best ‘race’ time.”
ceived bells and festive hats. Little Trotters ages 13 and under were given medals at the finish. “It was perfect,” said Blake Fulton, 13. “The medal’s awesome!” Jeff Suffolk of Colorado, in town for the holidays and to support Good Boy’s race as he does each year, said the 2013 Trot “was my favorite yet.” Information on next year’s Ann Arbor Turkey Trot can be found at http://goodboyevents.com. - MR -
“We’re a competitive group,” said Suffolk, also founder of Good Boy Events. “But Thanksgiving Day’s all about fun. Folks just want to get out, run and enjoy themselves.” Veteran runner Jocelyn Anderson, dressed as a “Thanksgiving dinner,” received a pie for her efforts and affirmed Suffolk’s point. “There was no pressure. It was all about fun,” she said.
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Turkey Trotters re-
Photo by Tracey Cohen
Swarming like bees to honey, runners lined 5K runners Holly Rea and Jessica up around the block for the post-Kona Chocolate Hertenstein enjoy chocolate goodies. Run party at Kellogg Irvine of Ypsilanti (42:06) was the Park. They waited patiently to dip pret10K women masters winner. zels, marshmallows, Rice Krispie treats and other delicacies into warm founIn the 5K, Christopher Madziar tains of milk and dark chocolate. And of Essexville won in 16:21, a PR in his they washed it all down with hot cocoa first 3.1-mile race since high school with whipped cream. Yum! seven years ago. While the hot chocolate was the “I just ran as fast as I felt my legs raison d’etre for most runners, there could,” said Madziar. “I looked down were also three hotly-contested races and realized I was doing what I that morning. In the 10K, Eric Stuber wanted to do.” of Lansing (35:25) was first overall and first master, besting Lee Foley of Matt Disher of Ypsilanti finished a Clarkston (35:54) and Shaun Jordan close second in 16:26, followed by Ryan of Howell (37:21). Weisenberger of Pinkney (16:54). Thomas Heinlein of Ann Arbor (18:54) After running the first mile towas the male masters winner. gether in 5:33, Foley said, “I tried to hang with Eric, but he burned me Women’s 5K champ Kali Dent of pretty good in the second mile. I was Midland (17:13) said, “I love the athoping he would fall back a bit, but mosphere. Everybody from the 10K he didn’t. He stayed pretty much in was cheering for me. It’s great camacontrol the entire race.” raderie among all the runners. Sarah Gryniewicz of Grosse Pointe “I like the rain. Goes with the atWoods (38:18) ran her first 10K in a coumosphere. And I love chocolate, of ple years and hung with the faster men to course,” Dent said. pace her to an easy win.
Jocelyn Anderson ran, somehow, wearing her Thanksgiving table.