David Ryan made it four local race wins in a row, coming in just five seconds ahead of Dan Kuch to win the 21st annual Turkey Trot at SARA Park Saturday.

David Bell/News-Herald Photo. David Ryan (120) is just second ahead of Dan Kuch (132) as the duo approach the finish line at the 21st annual Turkey Trot at SARA Park Saturday. Ryan and Leona Fimbres each won turkeys as the top finishing male and female runners. Proceeds from the even benefit the Child Enrichment Fund.

“Who’s counting?” Ryan joked after the race.

Ninety runners and 30 walkers took part in the 5K race put on by Havasu Foot & Ankle Surgi-Center and Lake Havasu City Parks and Recreation Department. Finishing first for the women was Leona Fimbres and the first child runner to cross the finish line was A.J. Sweet.

Kuch had the lead from the start of the race to just before the 3-mile mark. That’s when Ryan put on his final kick to grab the win in a time of 16:53.

“Today was a tough day,” Ryan said. “I don’t know if it was the hills or the time of the year – the end of the season and you start to change gears – but in the middle I thought I was done. Then I looked up and saw Dan was just a little ahead so I gave it one last push. Dan did too.”

Fimbres said she did a significant amount of swimming and biking to get in shape for the event. She finished in a time of 23:00.

“It felt as it does every year: not too bad on the way down and tough on the way back,” Fimbres said. “I just wanted to beat my last year’s time, which was over 24:00, so I’m happy I did.”

Just a few strides behind Fimbres was Sweet, 12, who finished the race in 23:04.

“That was long and hilly,” he said after the race. “But cross country (at Thunderbolt Middle School) got me ready. You have to do a lot of running and practice a lot to do this.”

Both Ryan and Fimbres won turkeys for finishing first for their genders.

Havasu Foot & Ankle Surgi-Center’s Dr. Robert Novack said he was pleased with the number of runners this year.

“We had a good turnout and it was a good day. Everybody had a good time and everything went smoothly,” he said. “And we had a really good race for first place.”

Proceeds from the race benefit the Child Enrichment Fund. Each year the run generates about $200,000, which helps local children from families in need participate in local Parks and Recreation programs.

“We’re in a crunch right now,” said Recreation employee Lexi Dintelman, who reviews the scholarship applications. “Parents are struggling and every little bit helps.”

Helping keep costs low in order to bolster the charity donation are sponsors Allied Waste, Basha’s, Sparkletts Water and a number of businesses that made donations for raffle prizes and awards. Including Shugrue’s and Barley Brothers, Ashley Furniture, Havasu Fitness, Mudshark Brewery, Joanne, Brianna and Sue from the Hair Cartel, Big 5 Sporting Goods, David DePeal Hair Production, Natural Tease Sportswear and Attorney Harvey Jackson.

“The runners are staying healthy but they’re helping keep our community healthy with their support of the Child Enrichment Fund,” said Recreation Supervisor Donna Carlton.

You may contact the reporter at dbell@havasunews.com.

Marathon

21st Havasu Turkey Trot

Results

SARA Park

Nov. 21

MALES

Name Age Time

1. David Ryan 24 16:53

2. Dan Kuch 35 16:58

3. Chris Brady 47 18:40 142

4. Rhett Burgener 38 19:22

5. Malachy Ryan 18 19:54

6. Kerry Herbine 43 20:18

7. Dana Balderama 39 20:20

8. Chad Hinderliter 32 21:36

9. Craig Haymowicz 58 21:38

10. Ed Navarro 48 21:49

Males 12 and under

1. AJ Sweet 12 23:04

2. Matthew Condie 9 23:52

3. Chase Burgener 10 27:15

Males 13-19

1. Malachy Ryan 18 19:54

2. Jason Conway 16 23:43

Males 20-29

1. David Ryan 24 16:53

2. William Aaron 20 22:02

3. Lewis Fisher 21 N/A

Males 30-39

1. Dan Kuch 35 16:58

2. Rhett Burgener 38 19:22

3. Dana Balderrama 39 20:20

Males 40-49

1. Chris Brady 47 18:40

2. Kerry Herbine 43 20:18

3. Ed Navarro 48 21:49

Males 50-59

1. Craig Haymowicz 58 21:38

2. Bob Hyde 54 24:37

3. Brian Conway 50 24:50

Male 60-69

1. Joe Merrick 69 28:44

Male 70 and over

1. Tom Reno 70 32:05

2. Mel Pugliese 71 32:29

3. David Meyer 83 37:02

FEMALES

1. Leona Fimbres 49 23:00

2. Kaylie Sanchez 15 23:09

3. Courtnie Rask 16 23:16

4. Rachel Cortez 18 23:23

5. Silvia Conway 45 23:27

6. Lynsey Ryan 15 23:46

7. Wendy Martin 54 24:35

8. Melissa Jacobs 26 24:54

9. Twyla-Lea Jensen 45 25:28

10. Maranduh Bracamonte 12 25:32

11. Samantha Waggoner 48 26:06

12. Monica Conlan 29 26:17

13. Amie Morris 30 26:23

14. Caitlin Halbert 21 26:34

Females 12 and under

1. Maranduh Bracamonte 12 25:32

2. Jasmine Partain 9 27:14

3. LucyMae Paterson 7 33:54

Females 13-19

1. Kaylie Sanchez 15 23:09

2. Courtnie Rash 16 23:16

3. Rachel Cortez 18 23:23

Females 20-29

1. Melissa Jacobs 26 24:54

2. Monica Conlan 29 26:17

3. Caitlin Halbert 21 26:34

Females 30-39

1. Amie Morris 30 26:23

2. Doone Burgener 37 28:11

3. Caia Leber 35 29:03

Females 40-49

1. Leonora Fimbres 49 23:00

2. Silvia Conway 45 23:27

3. Twyla-Lea Jensen 45 25:28

Females 50-59

1. Wendy Martin 54 24:35

2. Jeanne Weidner 53 26:40

3. Pat Miers 55 28:59

Females 60-69

1. Cathy Trujeque 60 27:51

2. Marie Hansell 66 31:40

3. Susan White 63 41:25