Cape resident wins Turkey Trot
After a long race, some people slow down as they approach the finish line, especially if victory is in hand.
Not John Biffar, who sprinted toward the finish line of the 5-kilometer 29th annual Turkey Trot race Thursday at the Cape Coral Hospital, extending his lead. He took first place overall with a time of 15:46, besting his friend and second-place finisher Joshua Shadle by 12 seconds.
“The key was to stay strong throughout the race. After half a mile I took over and set a pace. I had my good friend Josh with me so that helped a lot,” Biffar said.
The 25 year-old Cape resident is a five-year veteran of the annual Turkey Trot, and actually ran a faster race two years ago, finishing with a time of 15:41.
“I wanted to be a little faster but that’s okay,” he said.
Zach Kovacik, a member of the North Fort Myers High cross country team, finished third overall, but first in the 16-19 age group. He came in with a time of 16:17.
“I was expecting to break 16 minutes. I had a big mental relief after (the state competition) last week.
Kovacik said he approached the 5-kilometers, or 3.1 miles, in one-mile intervals.
“We were 4:52 at the first mile, then I just hung on for the second mile, then I surged for the third mile and I came out third,” he said.
Sara Strong took first in the women’s competition, finishing 33rd overall with a time of 18:27. She was followed closely by the second-place runner in the women’s competition, Tiffany Chartier, who finished three seconds behind Strong and 35th overall.
Sarah Spann took third in the women’s competition, finishing 41st overall with a time of 18:52.