RUNNING USA – Runners Gobble up Turkey Trot 10K on Marine Corps Base Quantico

QUANTICO, Va. (Nov. 22, 2014) – Capturing his second consecutive win,  Stephen Harrison led 978 runners to the finish of the Turkey Trot 10K on Marine Corps Base Quantico today during the cold, crisp autumn morning.

Harrison, 26, easily defended his title, winning the Turkey Trot 10K with a five-minute lead over the field of participants hailing from 19 states and Washington, D.C. Harrison completed this year's Turkey Trot in 33:56, just shy of his win last year at 32 minutes, 26 seconds.

"I love this run it's gorgeous and was worth running through the cold," said Harrison, who is a Cross Country and Track coach at Brooke Point High School in Stafford, Va.

The female participants were led by a U.S. Marine as 1st Lt. Amy Peterson, 32, of Dumfries, Va. took first place finishing in 41:16. "This is my first time running the Turkey Trot and it was awesome to run on base," Peterson said. "It's a great course and really scenic," added the instructor at Quantico's Officer Candidate School.

Daniel Huerta, 42, of Fredericksburg, VA finished first among the masters competitors, completing the 6.2 mile course in 38:43, while Taimi Schweighardt, 44, of Stafford was the master's winner among women finishing in 46:54.

Joining the Turkey Trot celebration were 189 "Distinguished Participants" awarded medals for participating in the MCM events from May through November. These distinguished participants completed a run during Marine Corps Historic Half Weekend, Run Amuck and the Turkey Trot. The impressive Distinguished Participant gold-toned medals were presented by MCM Event Series sponsor VA Runner, a leading running gear and specialty store with locations in Fredericksburg and Woodbridge, VA.

Among the distinguished participants was Katherine Hayes of Alexandria, Va.. Following the Turkey Trot, Hayes said she was thrilled to receive the medal for having participated in MCM Event Series, hosted by the MCM and U.S. Marines. Hayes said she is already gearing up to register for the 2015 Event Series, as the Historic Half is currently open to online registration. In addition to her distinguished participant award, Hayes had plenty reason to celebrate as she also has lost 50 pounds, which she attributes to her new love – running.

"I began running at age 50 and I'm just 53 now," she said. "I've got a lot of my coworkers in DC running MCM events with me and I'm looking forward to running the 40th MCM next October."

All Turkey Trot 10K winners received frozen turkeys from Wegmans and pies from MCM partner, Bob Evans. Numerous children and families also participated in the Turkey Trot Mile, which began at 8:30 a.m., just prior to the 10K. Many dressed in Turkey hats and garb while relishing in the holiday run. All participants of today's events also enjoyed an enhanced finish area with numerous hospitality items, entertainment and a petting zoo.

The 2014 MCM Event Series includes a series of road races and a triathlon occurring in Prince William County and on Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA. The MCM Event Series is sponsored by Brooks, GEICO, Marine Federal Credit Union, Holiday Inn Quantico Center, National University, Discover Prince William County/Manassas and Sprint. No federal or Marine Corps endorsement implied. #RunWithTheMarines

RUNNING USA