Cape resident wins Turkey Trot

Photo by YUNET JOMOLCA Arielle Revsin is applauded by the crowd as she heads toward the finish line in Thursday’s Turkey Trot. More photos are available online at cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.
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.

Photo by YUNET JOMOLCA John Biffar of Cape Coral finished first in Thursday’s Turkey Trot. More photos are available online at cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.
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.

Photo by YUNET JOMOLCA Sara Strong (left) receives her trophy for first place among the female participants in Thursday’s 29th annual Turkey Trot. She finished with a time of 18:27. More photos are available online at cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.
Sarah Spann took third in the women’s competition, finishing 41st overall with a time of 18:52.
- Photo by YUNET JOMOLCA John Biffar of Cape Coral finished first in Thursday’s Turkey Trot. More photos are available online at cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.
- Photo by YUNET JOMOLCA Sara Strong (left) receives her trophy for first place among the female participants in Thursday’s 29th annual Turkey Trot. She finished with a time of 18:27. More photos are available online at cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.