Hagerstown Turkey Trot – Thanksgiving Road Races in Maryland

Winner – Mike Lilley, King’s College Graduate Assistant Cross Country Coach

Road races take place all over Maryland on Thanksgiving morning and weekend. And if you live anywhere near Washington County, the Hagerstown Turkey Trot at Hagerstown Community College is THE PLACE to be on Thanksgiving morning. Well over 1,000 participants run in either the 5k featured race or the “Mashed Potatoes” kids race. And even the dogs are welcomed to be a part of this scholarship fundraising event.

The men’s winner in the 14^th annual running of the race was a repeat from 2013, as Mike Lilley returned home from his position as a graduate assistant coach at King’s College, PA to win in 15:15. The former Appalachian State standout and multiple-time state champion at Williamsport High School was pleased and surprised to do so well and to win.

“I’ve had a year-long injury at this point and have had to dial back the training a lot with a leg problem where I lose coordination and strength in my left leg when running. So I came out here today and surprised myself; I didn’t think I was going to run so well with just all the problems I’ve had. I’m looking for answers, been to tons of doctors … so in light of it all, it was a good day.”

Lilley was in the lead pack of four runners at the halfway point through the first lap, with eventual runner-up Evan Hardy stalking them from about 10 seconds behind. But the former Williamsport HS runner and current athlete at Lehigh University went through a strong second half to finish 15 seconds behind Lilley in 15:30.

Women’s winner Lyndsie Delosier heads to the indoor finish on the HCC indoor track.

Third and fourth places were taken by Josh Davis and Dustin Adams of Clear Spring in 15:36 and 15:36, while another pair of collegiate runners and Williamsport grads took fifth and sixth – Scott Long (Bridgewater College) and Clayton Smith (Geneva College).

The women’s overall title went to a local as well. Bridgewater senior Lyndsie Delosier won in 19:26, holding off Jackie Palmer in 19:42. Mike Lilley’s sister Rachel, who runs for Shippensburg University, placed third.

Delosier, who ran at Smithsburg High School, kept the Turkey Trot title in the possession of Bridgewater College runners, as last year’s winner Stephanie Breen also ran for the Eagles.

“I didn’t realize I was in the lead until the second mile when people were saying – while I was running with the second girl – ‘There are the girl leaders.’ So it was great to do well, after having had a lot of college injuries, to be able to run well this last year.”

Most of those participating are running for the fun of it, and it is often a family affair with the generations running together. The 2009 winner Doug Oates was running his first race in a long time after having had back surgery in January. He met his goal of breaking 19 minutes by finishing in 18:57. And his niece Bella Dixon, a 5^th-grader at Sharpsburg Elementary School was representing the next generation in the kids race.

“It was fun but my legs were hurting, and it was really long and I was going really fast in the beginning, but then I slowed down.” Bella came back strong at the end to take second place in the Mashed Potatoes race.”

Here are the Hagerstown Turkey Trot winners from over the years…

Other Turkey Trots in Maryland

The Frederick Turkey Trot draws about 3,000 participants yearly and is a benefit for Way Station – a non-profit mental health services organization.

In Baltimore at Druid Hill Park, the Baltimore City Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K was run this morning.

On Saturday in Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg, the Montgomery County Road Runners will sponsor The Turkey Burnoff – offering 5-mile and 10-mile races at 9:00. The link for more information is HERE.