Trotting for a Good Cause

There was some trotting, some walking, and a lot of running at Anne Arundel Community College's annual Turkey Trot held yesterday [Nov. 24] on the AACC campus. Nearly 200 participants showed up despite the cold and windy conditions.

"We always seem to be a little challenged with the weather," said event coordinator Tara Witten, who was still very pleased with the turnout.

"It seems like the timing with Thanksgiving is great for getting people here," said Sharon Corbitt of the athletics department. "Because people are visiting their family for the holiday, we get participants from all over; we even had some from Japan in the past."

Wherever they were from, participants were varied in age and experience. Some preferred participating in the walk, others the one-mile jaunt, while the more serious runners were up for the entire 5K route.

Teen Bridget Mullakey brought friends Samantha Duelley and Kendel Rigglemen to their first run. "I have Tara for a health class at AACC and I thought it would be fun," said Mullakey.

Little Katherine Bennett of Windsor Farm Elementary School participated along with her Girls on the Run club coach Paula Waite. Both were preparing for the upcoming county Girls on the Run event to be held on the AACC campus on December 5th.

Girls on the Run Board Member Susan Thaxton of Annapolis said group members were participating to make the final determination of the route for the upcoming AACC run. "The event is the culmination of our fall season," she explained. "We now have many school clubs participating. It is very exciting."

The Turkey Trot is in its 22^nd year at the college with proceeds benefitting the AACC fitness center. Prizes were given out to first and second place finishers in a variety of categories and included actual turkeys from Graul's.

"We are so thankful to our sponsors this year," said Whitten who explained that this year's sponsors were businesses who promoted healthy eating and lifestyles.

All participants were asked to bring donations for Food Link, a county food bank. "I was so happy to see the donations today," said Witten. "I spoke with the coordinator and she told me that this year, the volunteers she had seen in the past were now coming to her as clients.

Congratulations to first place 5K finisher Nathan Bickell and all of the runners who made themselves and their friends and family members who cheered them on proudly.