The first thing that comes to mind for most people when Thanksgiving weekend arises is a bountiful feast and a post indulgent nap. In Sudbury, however, the focus of the weekend appears to be shifting to getting outdoors for a run. Over the past 15 years, the Walden Cross Country Fitness Club has hosted the Turkey Gobbler trail run, and each year sees a marked growth in participants. Our chalet was bursting at the seams on Sunday, filled with over 315 excited runners.

The mid-summer like weather made for perfect running conditions. A wall of kids exploded out the starting line of the 1k race. Saren Ward outran all her competitors, winning in a time of 6:06. Not to be outdone, her brother Kaeden hammered the 3k course finishing 2nd overall and first in his age group at 14:33. Their father, Colin Ward, vying for Mr. Fit Sudbury, ran a very impressive race on the super challenging 8k course. Colin finished second in his age group in a time of 35:41.

The 8k course is well known among Turkey Gobblers as a very tough trail course. The first half takes runners uphill and uphill, and uphill again, while the second half includes a technical single-track switchback section. This course is much loved by Todd Withers, an icon in the Sudbury Fitness Challenge family. Todd trained hard on it all summer, including some double loop days. After having to leave the starting line of the Mountain Bike race due to a family emergency, Todd spent the rest of the season playing catch-up to regain contention for the second top spot in the Mr. Fit Sudbury race. Todd’s drive to race hard may have pushed him too far, as he took a nasty fall deep into a mud puddle on the single track. Despite looking more like a competitor in a mud-wrestling match, Todd didn’t let the fall get the best of him, and he finished very strong in a time of 36:25. You are an inspiration to us all Todd!

Competitors were treated with a huge spread of baked goods, and of course the ever-present Dilly Bars. And to top of the day, the annual draw for the turkey! Congrats to Casey Crow for winning the turkey. The race committee is already working hard on new ideas for next year, perhaps a half distance, new sponsors, maybe even professionally timed??? Stay tuned and mark your calendars for the 2018 Turkey Gobbler trail race.

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Congratulations to all who participated in the annual Turkey Gobbler and all the Challenge events. They were great outings filled with positive energy. Congrats to the fitness challenge winners as this was the last event of the year.

A big THANK YOU!! goes out to all of the Sudbury Fitness Challenge event organizers and volunteers. With their dedication fitness awareness and levels have improved greatly over the years in our community.

A special shout out goes to Neil Phipps and Sara McIlraith for their tireless efforts. Without the pair's commitment to the events quality and participation would be at reduced levels. We commend them.

All Results Here

A Special Note On behalf of all the Fitness Challenge participants and volunteers we would like to thank Neil Phipps and Sara McIraith for their commitment to the Challenge. The Fitness Challenge comes with challenges of its own as seen this year at the Beaton Classic. You were able to keep it together and pull off a successful event even though Neil you thought your head might blow up. Neil and Sara - Without your dedication to the Fitness Challenge for the past several years we would not be able to experience all the fun, rivalry and camaraderie that the various events bring with them. Thank you both ever so much Louis and Maureen

 

Overall Male: Colin Ward