CHESTERTOWN — Despite less than ideal weather — it was overcast, rainy and chilly — a respectable number of the 233 runners and walkers who pre-registered for the YMCA of the Chesapeake’s Turkey Trot Charity 5K in Chestertown showed up for the 8:30 a.m. start on Thanksgiving.
Aidan Trautman, 19, of Centreville led the field of 161 finishers in 18 minutes, 27.66 seconds.
Laura Carpenter, 33, of Atlanta, Georgia was the first female across the line, and fourth overall, in 19:35.64.
The course was out and back from Wilmer Park.
“A pug in a Turkey hat, along with our own Y Turkey Guy, made for a spirited morning,” Erica Osterhout, executive director of the Kent County Family YMCA, told The Evening Enterprise in an email.
Among the participants were two octogenarians: Alan Firlein of Rock Hall and Joy Kim of Chestertown.
Bill Carroll, who passed away in August after a long battle with cancer, was honored before the start of the race. He previously served on the YMCA’s leadership council, blessed the facility “and touched our lives,” Osterhout said.
“We were fortunate enough to have some of his family join us this morning to share in his memory. He loved what the Turkey Trot meant for our community,” she added.
Osterhout thanked the first responders who patrolled the course and “the gracious support of many local businesses in our area which makes a great impact on our program opportunities. Our staff team is thankful for the contributions of many volunteers, and a wonderful community to embrace.”
Proceeds from the race support the Kent County Family YMCA directly, according to Osterhout.
“Funds fuel our mission by supporting memberships for all and offering free participation in disease prevention outreach programs such as LiveSTRONG for cancer survivors,” she told The Evening Enterprise.
For a complete list of participants, see https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/97825#resultSetId-512987;perpage:100
