Turkey and TATURs, and TZ's Top Ten

A little over a week ago, we had the 10th running of Turkey and TATURs 50K/25K/10K. This race has endured over the years with only a minor change here and there--but this year, we moved the start/finish due to the shelter we had used was dismantled. 

Picture by Jessi Wiley

TZ's TOP 10 BEST THINGS ABOUT 2015 TURKEY&TATURS
#10.THE FIRE-PIT.
This year, we set up shop near a newly built fire-pit. Folks kept their bums warm before the race and cooked s'mores afterward. 

Picture by Jessi Wiley

TZ's TOP 10 BEST THINGS ABOUT 2015 TURKEY&TATURS

#9. COOL TEMPERATURES

It was in the mid 30s at the start, and throughout the day--no one sweated unless they were running hard. The 50K--a smaller field this year, took off at 6:30, and at 7:00 a huge throng of 25K runners toed the line. The 10K--maybe the toughest 10K in the state--started at 7:30.

Picture by Jessi Wiley

Jessi Wiley took over 300 pictures for the race, and gave me permission to post at will. 

TZ's TOP 10 BEST THINGS ABOUT 2015 TURKEY&TATURS
#8. GREAT FALL COLORS
Leaves in places on the course were in full color. I got out on the course a little and took a few pictures myself.

With a full cover of fallen leaves on several sections of the course, it seemed like trails by braille. Those rocks and roots that were waiting for stubbed toes were completely invisible. A few finishers took home gnarly souvenirs--but I've always said it's not truly a good trail run without a couple of falls.

Picture by Jodee Whitworth

TZ's TOP 10 BEST THINGS ABOUT 2015 TURKEY&TATURS
#7. RELATIVELY FLAT--NOT HERE.
I can't actually say the whole course is relatively flat, because hey--it has LipBuster. There were a few extra short steep climbs that have been in the course since the year it began,and actually I take great delight in letting everyone see a steep hill here and there. 

Picture by Jodee Whitworth

Jodee, who routinely roasts me for creating tough courses, took a few pics of her journey.

Picture by Jodee Whitworth

The Ridge trail--one of the easier parts, and my favorite trail on Turkey.

Picture by Jodee Whitworth

TZ's TOP 10 BEST THINGS ABOUT 2015 TURKEY&TATURS
#6. GREAT AID STATIONS.
Shorty ran the top-of-LipBuster aid station. She had help from Kathryn Ivey and RJ Chiles, who came from Coalgate, OK just to hang out and help. Gotta love that!

Picture by Michelle Bates

The 10K split aid station was manned by Mike Rives, Meego, Michelle Bates, Jbob Jones, and SueAnn Bement. There were an assortment of beverages in addition to water and Gatorade. Near the end of the race, there were more volunteers than there were runners on the course. Wherever Meego is, a party is soon to erupt.

Picture by Jessi Wiley

TZ's TOP 10 BEST THINGS ABOUT 2015 TURKEY&TATURS
#5. THE CHILI COOK-OFF.
This year, we had a chili cook-off. BONUS!! There was beef chili, turkey chili, vegetarian chili, and a few other variations. 

Picture by Jessi Wiley

Alan Bates aka Yogi cooked hamburgers and hot dogs for several hours. I ate well.

Picture by Jessi Wiley

 A panel of judges critique the seven chili entries.

Picture by Jessi Wiley

I'm not sure Suki was on the panel, but I bet she'd given high marks for all except maybe the veggie chili. But "I" thought the veggie chili was yum.

Picture by Jessi Wiley

First and second place in the chili cook-off was won by my dear wife Dana. I have to say, the beef chili was off the charts. The turkey chili was also good, but the beef was supreme.

Picture by Jessi Wiley

TZ's TOP 10 BEST THINGS ABOUT 2015 TURKEY&TATURS
#4. PARTY AT THE FINISH LINE.
Ed Lebowski cheered people in. His voice could be heard all over the mountain. The music this year was widely varied--mostly great. Next year--maybe we should have a karaoke contest.

Picture by Jessi Wiley

TZ's TOP 10 BEST THINGS ABOUT 2015 TURKEY&TATURS
#3. A FAST PHOTO-WORTHY FINISH.
Finishers charged across a wooden bridge en-route to the finish. The last 200 yards were downhill, included a wooden bridge, and hundreds of great pictures were taken here.

TZ's TOP 10 BEST THINGS ABOUT 2015 TURKEY&TATURS
#2. GREAT AWARDS.
Finish in the top 3--you get the Golden Gobbler. 

Picture by Jessi Wiley

Picture by Clint Green

 This year's medals doubled as a bottle opener. 

Picture by Jessi Wiley

TZ's TOP 10 BEST THINGS ABOUT 2015 TURKEY&TATURS
#1. GREAT FRIENDS.
Add it up--good weather, a great course, a spirited run, a run with spirits, good friends, good food. Can't beat it!

 FULL RESULTS CAN BE FOUND HERE.