By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Kathryn Krieger defended her title in the 93rd running of the Thanksgiving Day Race. But it looks like her winning streak will end at two.

Krieger, 33, lives in San Francisco but came to Cincinnati the last two years to visit the parents of her boyfriend, Daniel Shore.

The Shores are retiring to Maine.

"So we'll probably go there," Krieger said.

Road racers in Maine should take note: Krieger is going to win the local turkey trot. She covered the 10-kilometer course in 35:22 Thursday - 23 seconds faster than her winning time last year.

The top local female runner, Jill Tranter, was second again this year.

Last year, Krieger's win was a shock to Tranter.

"I was totally surprised last year," Tranter said. "This year, I knew she was coming. I just couldn't keep up with her."

Krieger took the lead after two miles or so.

"I was with her," said Tranter, 32. "But she was just floating. She's a great runner. A lot of the guys I train with were trying to pull me along, but she was too strong."

Krieger is training for the California International Marathon Dec.8 in Folsom, Calif. Her goal is to run 2:48 - the qualifying standard for the U.S. Olympic Trials. She ran a 2:49:39 there in rough weather conditions last year.

"I'm in a lot better shape now," she said. "I felt pretty good today."

Tranter has shaken the health problems that were bothering her last year, when she had a viral infection.

"I'm healthy," she said. "I'm just not in great shape.'

Her time Thursday - 36:10 - shows that. Tranter has run as fast as 34:34 for a 10k.

Still, Tranter, a two-time winner of the Thanksgiving Day Race, isn't glad that Krieger won't be back.

"That's the great thing about running," Tranter said. "I felt like I ran a great race today (even though) I got my butt kicked. I welcome good competition."

• Complete list of winners