After completing one of the most storied careers in NCAA history, Edward Cheserek won his first race as a pro on Thanksgiving Day at the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot in San Jose, Calif.

After a tactical early pace, Cheserek pulled away from Awet Habte (13:42) and Emmanuel Bor (13:43) to take the win in 13:38.

“I tried to play my race plan right and hang in there with the big boys,” Cheserek told CITIUS MAG after the race. “I was struggling with a little injury after [the 5th Avenue Mile] but have been back in training and things have gone well the last couple weeks.”

Gotytom Gebreslase of Ethiopia won the women’s race in 15:38 ahead of Monicah Ngige of Kenya (15:44). Emily Lipari outsprinted her BAA teammate Sarah Pagano to finish in third. Both were timed in 16:04.

VIDEO: @KingCheserek pulls away to take the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot victory. @TurkeyTrotSV pic.twitter.com/Mby1iBccYz

— CITIUS MAG (@CitiusMag) November 23, 2017

Men’s results:
1 Edward Cheserek 13:38
2 Awet Habte Ghebrezghiabher 13:42
3 Emmanuel Bor 13:43
4 Haron Lagat 13:49
5 Alex Monroe 13:49
6 Reid Buchanan 13:56
7 Sam Atkin 13:56
8 Lawi Lalang 13:58
9 Pat Casey 13:59
10 Eric Avila 14:00

Women’s results:
1 Gotytom Gebreslase 15:38
2 Monicah Ngige 15:44
3 Emily Lipari 16:04
4 Sarah Pagano 16:04
5 Marisa Howard 16:09
6 Mel Lawrence 16:11
7 Tia Martinez 16:12
8 Stephanie Brown 16:18
9 Teresa McWalters 16:27
10 Megan Rolland 16:29