By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer
Photo courtesy Sandra Kerstetter
Participants are invited to walk or run the third annual Thankskitten 2.5 mile fun run to raise money for Town Cats at the Ocean Pines Veterans Memorial on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday Nov. 28, starting at 9 a.m.
(Nov. 22, 2019) Runners can sign up for the third annual ThanksKitten Trot and second annual Trash Trot, which offer healthy ways to get active before and after Thanksgiving dinner indulgences.
The ThanksKitten Run will take place at the Ocean Pines South Gate Pond Trail, Thursday, Nov. 28, starting at 9 a.m.
ThanksKitten will consist of three laps around the Ocean Pines South Gate Pond, with exercise stations throughout each lap. Exercise stations, ranging from pushups, squats and lunges, are optional and participants can complete in one, two or three laps.
Three laps around the pond are about 2.5 miles. Families, children and pets on leashes are welcome. The laps are not timed and people can choose to run or walk the entire length.
The event will raise money for Town Cats, a local nonprofit that is dedicated to enriching the lives of free roaming, feral or abandoned cats in Ocean City and the surrounding communities by limiting population growth, and providing medical care and affordable adoption services.
“They do a wonderful job of doing the spay, neuter and release as well as getting foster families for cats when they’re found outside, and they just do an amazing job trying to control the cat population and helping find cats good homes,” CrossFit Assateague Event Organizer Sandra Kerstetter said. “They work with PetSmart and other organizations and I’m just really impressed with what they do.”
In the past two years the event has raised nearly $1,000 for Town Cats.
Last year, around 70 people participated in the ThanksKitten event. Kerstetter hopes changing the event date this year will draw even more people.
“Last year we tried on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend to see if we would gain more of an interest not being on Thanksgiving morning,” Kerstetter said. “We had a request to put it back on Thanksgiving morning so we accommodated everyone’s wishes.”
Parking will be available at the Ocean Pines Library on Cathell Road.
Coordinators will be collecting supplies, such as clumping cat litter, Purina One kitten dry food, and Friskies turkey pate canned cat food.
“The medical bills when there’s a sick kitten can get quite costly and [Town Cat] pays for that,” Kerstetter said. “If we can help get them some cat supplies and some extra cash for those expenses we’d like to do so.”
Registration starts at 8 a.m. in Veterans Memorial Park and costs $15 per person, or $10 for children 13-17 or with a cat supply donation. Children 12 and under can participate for free.
“We’re supporting a local organization. There’s not much to do on Thanksgiving morning besides eating, so it’s a great way to get out and support the community, a great organization, help cats and just feel good about yourself before you sit down for that Thanksgiving feast,” Kerstetter said. “We just want people to have a good time and spend time with family and friends.”
For more information, a list of needed cat supplies or to register online, visit www.crossfitassateague.com, www.facebook.com/crossfitassateague, or call Kerstetter at 443-944-2226 with any questions.
The Surfrider Foundation will be cleaning up trash for the second year during the Turkey Day Trash Trot on Saturday, Nov. 30. Volunteers will meet at the amusement pier by the inlet parking lot at 10:45 a.m. and clean up trash on the beach until noon.
“People should come out for the fresh air to enjoy time spent with friends and family all while providing valuable service to the Ocean City community,” Surfrider Volunteer Coordinator Malcolm Taylor said. “Surfrider Ocean City Maryland prides itself on being a local, all-volunteer organization that is always looking to meet new people and find ways to get folks involved with Surfrider to help promote clean water and healthy beaches.”
During the inaugural Turkey Day Trash Trot last year, 25 people participated and around 40 pounds of trash was collected.
Sponsored by Mother’s Cantina this year, all participants will receive a free taco or drink at the 28th Street establishment after the cleanup. Two participants will also win $25 gift cards to Mother’s Cantina.
Gloves and trash bags will be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle, and gloves and buckets if available. Volunteers are asked to wear comfortable clothing and shoes and dress appropriately for the weather, as it can get very windy on the beach.
For more information, visit the Turkey Day Trash Trot Facebook page, www.facebook.com/events/260471207946247.