CARIBOU, Maine — A field of 135 walkers and runners gathered for the final road race in Aroostook County for 2014.
The Caribou Turkey Trot 5K took participants out of the Caribou High School parking lot, onto Woodland Center Road then Lombard Road before turning around and heading back to CHS for the finish.
The winner was Nick Wheeler of Bangor, who was 1/10th of a second faster than twin brother Curtis Wheeler of Caribou. Their times were 18 minutes, 5.5 seconds and 18:05.6, respectively.
Taking third place was Caribou native Christian Sleeper, who crossed the finish line in 19 minutes even. Elijah Verhoff of Caribou, a CHS student, was fourth in 19:11.7 and Trevor Levesque of Presque Isle placed fifth in 19:14.3.
The next five positions were captured by Caleb Chapman (19:20.1), Ty Thurlow (19:35.3), Isaiah Brown (19:45.5), Josh Kovach (20:03.9) and Evan Desmond (20:32.8).
The fastest woman was Gabrielle Wheeler of Caribou in 21:09.8, which placed her 12th overall. Angie Ewings of Littleton was the second female finisher in 22:40.2 and her daughter, Teagan, was third in 23:25.5.
In what has become an annual tradition, Tom Turkey (Paul Lamoreau) outpaced the chef (Waldo Libby). The turkey crossed the line in 26:51.8, well ahead of the chef’s 29:27.6 clocking.
Participants ranged in age from 6 years old (Aubrey Ellsworth) to 66 (Libby).
Overall and age division winners were recognized and participants were treated to a post-race meal of turkey-topped pizza.
Age division winners were: 14 and under girls, Teagan Ewings; 14 and under boys, Desmond, 20:32.8; 15-19 female, Nerissa Larrabee, 25:25.3; 15-19 male, Verhoff; 20-29 female, Natasha Deschene, 32:46.7; 20-29 male, C. Wheeler; 30-39 female, Leanne Candura, 24:06.8; 30-39 male, Thurlow; 40-49 female, Angie Ewings; 40-49 male, George Ferland, 22:38.5; 50-59 female, Susie Schloeman, 35:09.5; 50-59 male, Tom Kirby, 24:27.8; 60-69 female, Connie McLellan, 29:37.1; and 60-69 male, Lee Byram, 23:59.9.
