More than 300 runners and walkers got active over the high calorie Thanksgiving weekend, and toed the line on Saturday, November 25, for the 20th Annual Burn Off the Turkey 5k, sponsored by the Gorham Recreation Department. The course was much busier due to the relatively balmy weather as compared with last year’s event, when 207 cold and damp participants crossed the finish line. The tape was once again broken by Gorham’s son and Auburn resident Jesse Orach (GHS ’12).

Orach (15:33) had his third consecutive win. Windham’s Rob Gomez (16:12) was silver on the medal podium, joining Orach and Jesse Southard, GHS ’16, (3rd, 16:33). Erica Jesseman of Scarborough was the women’s winner (17:45). Age group division winners from Gorham were: Maria McInnis (F 30-29, 21:58), Christine Southard (F 50-59, 25:12), Jesse Southard (M 15-19, 16:33), and Drew York (M 20-29, 19:34).

A good number of runners participated in the under-14 and 15-19 age divisions, with many solid performances among that group. Full race results may be found here.

The top 10 mens’ Gorham finishers:

The top 10 womens’ Gorham finishers: