LYNN — Thursday’s Stop the Violence Turkey Trot 5K, which started and finished at Rolly’s Tavern in Lynn, was a success as more than 290 people signed up and 250 finished. There were 185 finishers in 2024.
Cross country coaches John Hogan (Lynn Tech) and Tristan Smith (St. Mary’s) were co-directors.
“I want to give a big shoutout to the Lynn Police Department because they come in and clear the route. We go over the course and they keep it safe,” Hogan said. “People come to Rolly’s expecting to have a race and run.”
Medals were given to runners in each age group and T-shirts to the first 200 registered runners. Better yet, apple pies were given to the top five males and females.
“The age range was really good and families came out. People in carriages, there were dogs, and even people in costumes,” Hogan said. “There was a great atmosphere and the goal is to get 300 (runners) next year.”
Winning the race was Ian De La Rosa, a runner at Lynn English, with a speedy time of 18:03. He was followed by St. Mary’s Kelsey Kwiatek (18:29), Lynn Classical’s Brandon Sok (18:40), Lynn Tech’s Emerson Ramirez (18:51), and St. Mary’s Nicholas Fusco (19:01) to round out the top five.
“It’s a nice course and I do believe those were two of the fastest times ever,” Hogan said. “Kelsey’s was definitely the fastest run by a female.”
Peabody had two runners finish in the top 12: John Bettencourt (19:39) and Dylan Crosby (20:56). The youngest racers to finish were 6-year-old Dalton Campbell and 7-year-old Grayson Duffy.
Age groups will be expanded next year, according to Hogan. The event was presented by non-profit All-Lynn Track and Field.
“It’s all going back to the kids and that’s the best part of it,” Hogan said.
