Marshall Powers Places First In Famous New Orleans Thanksgiving Day Race (12/11/13)

on 6 February, 2014 at 17:44

Clarion Area Junior High Cross Country runner Marshall Powers, 13, captured the first place medal, in the half-mile 15 and under race, in the 106th Annual Turkey Day Race in New Orleans. Powers’ winning time was 2:33 seconds.

Marshall with his cousin, professional triathlete Caroline Smith

The race, sponsored by The New Orleans Athletic Club is one of the oldest, continuously held non-marathon races held in the country. The Turkey Day Race benefits the Spina Bifida Association of Greater New Orleans.

There were 122 runners entered in the 1/2 mile 15 and under race, which was run concurrently with the 5 mile race.

With temperatures below 32 degrees, Powers felt he had a bit of an advantage on the field, since he is more used to the cold than the local runners.

Marshall’s mother, Marilouise “Mel” Michel, is a native of New Orleans and along with step-dad Ronald Boben, they were visiting relatives for Thanksgiving.

Powers’ first cousin, Caroline Smith, a professional triathlete competed in the 5 mile race and with Powers also swimming for the Clarion YMCA Riversharks, triathlons may be in his future.

Powers is also the son of Ed Powers of Clarion.