MIDDLETOWN—On a very clear, very cold Nov. 21 the Middletown high school track was bustling with kids warming up for the first annual Middletown Turkey Trot. Christine Brinkerhoff, commissioner of Parks and Recreation, said, “It just builds nice community.”
Youth from preschool through eighth grade raced in peer groupings with the winner taking home a turkey donated by ShopRite. All the kids were led in a warm-up by high school track team volunteers.
Senior Alison Marcano and junior Star Figuerello were on hand to keep times. “It’s for the kids to get exercise and fun to watch them run,” Marcano said.
Nicole DeStefano, program coordinator in the Recreation Department, said the event would not have happened without the coordination of several groups—the city’s Rec Department, the high school track team led by Track and Field Coach Eric Hipsman, Middletown Cares Coalition, the mayor’s Youth Council, and ShopRite.
The races add a wellness touch to the Thanksgiving holiday. “In light of the holiday spirit, [the winners of each race] will be able to bring a turkey home to their families.”
Kids appeared stimulated by the seasonally cool air. Brinkerhoff said the youngsters did not mind the weather. “No, not at all. Just the parents.”
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