Commentary on the 2016 Turkey Trot
A crisp winter’s morning greeted competitors for the 12th running of the Sydney Metropolitan Turkey Trot. All three courses started from Masonic Schools Oval, Baulkham Hills, with the Long course encountering parks and pockets of bush in Crestwood, Bella Vista, Glenwood, Kings Langley, Winston Hills and finishing at 2nd Northmead Scouts, Northmead.
The Mens Long Course was a competitive affair with four runners in contention for much of the race. Glenn Horrocks dropped the others on the final map and held on to win with a minute or so to spare. The next three runners sprinted into the finish together only to subsequently realise that they had all missed control #26 and accidentally punched another nearby control instead. Consequently Michael Burton, a further 13 mins back claimed second followed by Ross Morrison for third. Clare Williams comfortably claimed the Women’s title leading from the get go over Belinda Kinneally in second.
Alistair George, who missed out by 25s in 2015, was back and completely dominated the Medium Course, showing a clean pair of heels to the rest of the field. Stuart Deane and Istvan Kertesz were separated by less than 2 mins to run in second and third respectively. Rochelle Cox won out in a tight tussle with Helen Parker and Karin Heffner for the Women.
The first six runners of the Short Course were only separated by 30 seconds. Alex Kennedy punched only 2 seconds before Nic Stanley, who had run ahead of his grandfather early on. John Bulman followed closely behind to claim third. Carolyn Matthews, from Newcastle is no stranger to the Turkey Trot Podium. She narrowly edged out Eleanor Ross to defend the title she won last year. The last Rocky Road on offer went to Nicolett Halmai a few minutes further behind.
Congratulations to all runners and volunteers. We hope you had a great morning orienteering in Western Sydney. We are already looking forward to next year. Where will it be? Will it favour the runners or the navigators? Will there be more bush or streets? So many questions and just like the Federal election, you’ll have to wait to find out!
