The 14th annual Newtown Turkey Trot 5K to benefit the C.H. Booth Library brought out enthusiastic runners and walkers of all ages Thanksgiving morning, November 23. In fact, this year’s race marked the largest number of participants the event has seen with more than 1,500 runners and walkers. The race usually attracts about 1,200 participants but numbers were up thanks in part to dry conditions and temperatures in the 40s.

Participants earned their extra serving of stuffing and pumpkin pie as they took off from Newtown Middle School, traversed roads throughout town, and looped back to the finish line at the school.

Joey Conrod was the first overall finisher, clocking in with a time of 18:04. Michael Dutsar was second in 18:29, followed by William Drew in 19:08, and top female and former Newtown Bee intern Ally McCarthy in 19:09.

Craig Moyse placed fifth in 19:19, Bill Birdsell was sixth, also in 19:19, and rounding out the top ten were Warren Teichner in 19:25, Erik Wessel in 19:31, Andrew Arena with a time of 19:35, and Philip Tisi who came across in 19:36.

“It’s exciting. It’s always fun to come out and see everyone cheering,” said McCarthy, adding that she enjoys the course itself. “You really get to see Newtown.”

“It’s the best race of the year. Thanksgiving’s my favorite holiday these days — everyone’s home for the weekend,” Conrod added.

This is a family event for some with many parents and children running the course together. Town residents Brenda McRae and Josh Helmin-Walker ran together and both had fifth-grade daughters — McRae’s daughter Blake and Helmin-Walker’s daughter J.J. — in the race as well.

Helmin-Walker is coming off a longer race having completed the New York Marathon this fall, but certainly enjoyed his hometown Turkey Day 5K. “It’s super fun,” said Helmin-Walker, adding that there is so much spirit on the race course.

“I love it,” McRae added. “It only gets more fun when the kids start.”

Newtown’s Amy Krompinger is no stranger to road races but this was her first Newtown Turkey Trot and her 7-year-old son Jack’s first race overall. Jack was second in his age group, clocking in at 26:15.

“Just watching him do what I love and enjoying it,” is what Krompinger enjoyed most about running with her son.

“This year was our largest turnout for the Turkey Trot with 1,540 runners and walkers and the Board of Trustees could not be more pleased. The Turkey Trot is the C.H. Booth Library’s largest fundraiser, and the proceeds go towards materials and programs that allow the library to continue to promote teaching and learning to Newtown residents of all ages,” said Elaine Corbo, president of the Board of Trustees for the library.

“The Trot really would not be possible without the help of our Library’s Strategic Project Manager Jordana Bloom and our Development Committee (chaired by our Vice President Cara Reilly). The mild weather we had helped us to have a great turnout as well. The Library board and staff look forward to next year’s Trot and hope to have an even larger turnout,” Corbo added.

For complete results, including age category winners, visit the Rat Race Timing webpage.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.