5/3 Bank Turkey Trot leaders run fast times despite snow squall.
DETROIT (11/24/2005) - With 20-degree temperatures, high winds and one or two snow squalls, winter arrived just in time for the Motor City's 23rd annual Turkey Trot, presented by Fifth Third Bank.

The cold weather didn't discourage any of the 6,000 runners and walkers, some of whom came dressed as Sponge Bob Square Pants, The Cat in the Hat, Spiderman, Santa Claus and other characters.

"We had about 5,400 regsitrants last year," said Alan Whitehead, who co-directs the race with Doug Kurtis. "So 6,000 is a real strong turnout."

The Turkey Trot followed a new course. designed by Kurtis, which started and finished at Cobo Center. As in the past, it included much of Detroit's Thanksgiving Day Parade Route, traveling up and down Woodward Avenue.

Josh Eberly, 24, and Dot McMahan, 29, claimed the men's and women's 10K. Both compete for the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project in Rochester Hills. Eberly is originally from Colorado, McMahan Wisconsin, so neither is a stranger to snowy mornings.

Still, 30 mph gusts of wind can knock you around.

"On the way out, the wind was pretty intense," said Eberly. "On the way the back, it was on your back. So my goal was to get to the turnaround as quick as possible!"

Eberly finished in 32:09 ahead of runner-up Ryan Desgrange, 26, of Belleville (32:50) and Luke Humphrey, 24, of Rochester Hills (33:11). John Springer, 43, of South Lyon, was the top masters finisher (37:31).

"The spectators were great," said Eberly. "People were yelling, 'Go Hansons-Brooks!' from the sidewalks."

McMahan was underwhelmed with her 37:41 time, "but I felt my effort was good," she said. Next came Hansons-Brooks teammates Jennifer DeRego (38:31) and Susan Barth (40:04), both 25.

Lauren Sophiea, 50, of Pleasant Ridge, was the first masters woman (46:48).

"The roads were a little snowy and there was a bit of wind," said McMahan. "But what do you expect? It's November. It's Michigan."

DeRego, raised in California, added, "I was very impressed with the turnout and all the spectators cheering us on. It was awesome!"

The Turkey Trot also served up a Mashed Potato Mile for those who didn't want to brave 10 kilometers. Complete race results are available at http://michiganrunner.net. For more information about the Turkey Trot, go to http://detroitturkeytrot.org. MR