Eli, Mamiko top Turkey Trot

Eli Torgeson joined the 2008 Annual Turkey Trot Fun Run officially and was first to reach the peak of Mt. Tapochao yesterday.

Torgeson completed the 4.2-mile race in a blistering 34 minutes, 20 seconds eclipsing Stuart Smith’s time of 36:46 in 2006.

The Commonwealth Health Center’s anesthesiologist missed the 2007 edition of the annual race as an official runner, as he failed to join other participants at the starting line in Lower Base.

“I am getting ready for the race around 4am, when I got a call from the hospital. The operation finished past 6am and when I and Tom (Linden) went to Lower Base, the runners were gone,” Torgeson.

Despite being left behind, Torgeon and Linden decided to run from Lower Base to Mt. Tapochao last year, caught up with half of the participants and still finished the race ahead of several runners.

“I think in 2007, I finished a few minutes behind my time today. This was a tough race, as there were several climbs. It was fun to finally join the race as an official runner and win,” Torgeson said.

Torgeson and three other male runners were lucky to finish the race before it rained.

Linden was among them, finishing third overall with a time of 42:00. Jack Kabriel placed second, clocking in at a minute earlier than Linden.

Heavy rains between 7:30am to 8am started slowing runners down with Mamiko Oshima-Berger, the first female finisher, crossing the finish line soaking wet. She timed in at 44:09.

Despite running in rain, Oshima-Berger was able to shatter her 2006 mark of 45:29.

Middle distance runner Angelo Jones came in also drenched about six minutes later, clocking in at 50:23 to become the first youth finisher.

Half of the 115 participants had already made it at the peak when it rained again. Most of the runners came in packs, encouraging each other to continue running in muddy and slippery course. The last finisher completed the race a few minutes before 9am.

The top finishers in each age group were awarded with either roasted turkey or chicken. The list include Jodel and Federico Fernandez (17-and-under), Angelo Jones and Gabrielle Race (12-and-under), Steven Pixley (50-and-above), Nikki Gabaldon (30-39 age group), Erick Frink (1:04:45), and Monica Yamaguchi (52:36).

All finishers received T-shirts from Rep. Ed Salas, who has been a regular supporter of the Turkey Trot.