Jamieson, Irvin finish first in Rockland Turkey Trot (2005)

By DANIEL KIERNAN

THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: November 25, 2005)

CONGERS — As the other runners slogged across the finish line in the 14th Annual Turkey Trot at Rockland Lake State Park yesterday morning, first-place finisher Carlos Jamieson commented that the weather wasn't as bad as he had expected.

"I was checking the weather reports, and they were saying 30 degrees and snowing," said Jamieson, "so I thought it was going to be a lot worse."

He showed up and ran anyway, one of 1,268 who braved the cold, wet conditions to take part. The 18-year old North Rockland High School graduate shattered the record time for the race, covering the 5-mile course in 25:38, which replaces the mark of 26:03 set by Andy Latincsics in 2003.

Jamieson's was one of three records set at yesterday's event.

Kate Irvin's time of 30:46 broke the women's record set last year by Lilian Kroner, who ran a 31:32.

The other record broken was that of total attendance, which has gone up every year since the event was first held in 1992.

For being the top female finisher, Irvin, like Jamieson, was given not only a trophy, but a turkey.

"I think there's already a turkey in the oven," she said. "Maybe I'll donate it."

It would certainly be in the spirit of the event to do so. The Turkey Trot is a charitable event organized by the Rockland Road Runners, one that raises money for several organizations, including People to People (who ran a simultaneous food drive), the Rockland County Police Hispanic Society Scholarship Fund, Piermont VFW Post 7462, the Salvation Army, and Friends of Manny, an organization named for Manny Lopez, the 20-year old Army corporal and North Rockland High graduate who died in Iraq earlier this year. The organization is raising money to build a statue in honor of Lopez in his home town, Haverstraw.

Lopez's mother, Yolanda, appeared on stage at the starting line at the beginning of the race.

Also present were representatives of the Hudson Valley chapter of Nam Knights of America, an organization of local veterans and police officers. They were without their motorcycles, though, on which they usually lead the race.

"This morning we got up and the salt trucks were out," said chapter president Charlie Maushardt of Blauvelt. "We figured just for safety reasons we'd leave the motorcycles home today, and just come out and support."

Also present to support the event were members of the Piermont VFW. Ted Jessup and Mike O'Neill, Korean War veterans, were on hand along with post president George A. Lynch, a World War II veteran.

The Piermont VFW is raising money for a statue in Kennedy Park as a World War II memorial.

"We're doing a bronze statue— GI Joe," said Lynch. "It represents the GIs that left through Piermont from Camp Shanks in Orangeburg in World War II. Over a million men left from the Piermont Pier aboard ships to Europe."

Paul Ciorra, a veteran of the Iraq war, was also on hand. He returned just a couple of weeks ago, and will soon return to his job as a captain with the New York PD.

Rockland Road Runners president and race director Mike Greco pointed to all the positive aspects of the event, from family togetherness to physical fitness, and from charity to patriotism.

"I think the reason the attendance has gone up every year is that people want to be a part of that," said Greco. "It's a great way to start the day. You run your 5 miles and you eat guilt-free for the rest of the day."