Unlike the previous two years, warm temperatures greeted runners for the 15th Friends & Family/YMCA Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk held in Fredericksburg. Race director Terry McLaughlin was pleased with the turnout and praised the dedicated volunteers who woke up early to greet the approximately 1,950 runners who came to enjoy the summer-like weather.

Prior to the 5K, younger runners showed their racing prowess in the Youth Mile Run. Young Holly Lambert posted the fastest time for the girls running an impressive 5:59. On the boy's side, Blake Payne ran a very speedy 5:46 to outpace all other runners.

After the youth heats were completed, it was time for the 5K. Rumbles could be heard throughout the crowd about the unseasonable temperatures, which at race time hovered in the mid- to high-70s.

Unbothered by the unusual weather were a group of swift runners from Chapel Hill, NC. Agent Ben Kurgat, who unexpectedly had to drive the runners in wee hours of the morning, brought an impressive crew. Overall male winner Samuel Kosgei ran a 14:29 and said he was feeling good and very much enjoyed the race. Kosgei has posted some outstanding times recently. This month alone he has won the Outer Banks Half Marathon in 62:33 and placed third in the highly competitive Richmond nTelos 8K, running a 22:55.

Finishing roughly 13 seconds behind Kosgei was Jynocel Basweti, who turns 21 in December. The phenomenal runner won the 2007 Austin Marathon in 2:14:02, 2 minutes and 43 seconds ahead of his closest competitor. He recently ran the Outer Banks Half Marathon in 63:37.

Third overall was Burke, VA.-based Abiyot Abebe, who came in seven seconds after Basweti.

Following Abebe was local runner Timothy Young, who posted a 15:05 to hold off D.C.'s Ezkyas Sisay by five seconds. Sisay, who placed second overall in October's Star Kid 8K held at George Mason University's Fairfax campus and first at the challenging Goblin Gallop 5K (in photo), was pleased with his performance and has plans to run this race again in 2008.

The other Chapel Hill male runner, Wilson Chepkwony, finished sixth in 15:28. Chepkwony finished second overall behind Basweti in the Beckley Half-Marathon in October.

On the women's side, D.C.-based Belainesh Gebre won in 16:38. Though pleased with her time, she said the wind affected her a little. Gebre recently won the Star Kid 8K (in photo) in 27:34 and the Goblin Gallop 5K in Fairfax in 17:27.

Chapel Hill's Irene Mogaka ran her first U.S. race, the Quad City Marathon, in September, which she won in 2:45:42. At the Turkey Trot, she finished roughly eight seconds behind Gebre and more than a minute ahead of Mindy Thomas, who finished second to Gebre at October's Goblin Gallop.

Rounding out the top five women were phenomenal master's runner Anna Cantanese in 19:06 and Harrisonburg, VA based runner Carmin Green in 19:39.

Many Fredericksburg Area Running Club (FARC) runners had some excellent times. Victoria Jasparro (34), who burst on the racing scene in 2007, won her age group in 20:00, despite being less than pleased with the weather.

FARC member Ruth Olson, who is recovering from her fine 3:22:47 performance at the Richmond Marathon, had competition from Carol Krill, but held on to win the master's women title in 20:45.

Mike Mesick won the men's master's title ahead of Jack Morrison, who has had a very impressive racing season. Morrison recently has placed well at the Young Lives 5K, the Richmond 8K, and the Quantico 5-Miler.

The 50-54 male age group proved very competitive. Although Gary Grimsley won it in a solid 18:37, the next four men finished within 30 seconds of one another. The returning David Lovegrove turned many heads by running 19:51 to take second in the age group. Mike Disilvestro held off Rolando Pancotti by a second to take third 20:03, and Mike Brooks, who ran the New York City Marathon three weeks prior, ran a competitive 20:17 to finish fifth.

Stafford-based Allan Vaughan faced stiff out-of-town competition in his division (55-59). However, with many races under his belt, Vaughan ran a 21:01 to take third. (In photo at Veteran's Day 10K, winning his division in 43:19)

Arlowene Garland (69) and Betty Dameron (72) also sailed to victory in their respective age groups, holding off their rivals by substantial margins.

Richard and Jane (Kitt) Williams ran their first race as a married couple. Four days after their wedding, they came to Fredericksburg and won their respective age groups -- Richard (72) in 23:03 and Kitt (60) in 24:31. Both ran sub-4 hour marathons in New York earlier this month and came back the next weekend to place in their age groups in the competitive Veteran's Day 10K race (In Photo). The spirited duo also won their age groups at the Quantico Turkey Trot 5 Mile November 17.

The ever-enthusiastic Williams called the day "fabulous!" and were happy with his time and the weather. He held off Bob Gurtler (72), another racing legend who has run more than 100 races this year. Gurtler ran a 30:56 to place third in his age group.

It is with sadness that we bid the Williamses goodbye as they move to San Diego, but we can expect to see them at least a few local races in coming years. We wish them the best of luck!

Below Jane (Poole) Williams presses to victory at the Leesburg 20K in 1:43:44.

Editor's Note:

Race reporter Elizabeth Jones (30) is pictured racing sixth overall at the Star Kid 8K in 33:41. In the Turkey Trot, she was second in her division, racing home in 20:58.

Full Race Results