Get Ready to Jingle All the Way – the 3rd Annual Teddy Bear Trot 5K Run & Walk Martha’s Vineyard Teddy Bear Suite Fundraiser

Hope you have your santa hat ready, a red or green tutu would be a bonus, because it’s almost time for the third Annual Teddy Bear Trot 5k & Walk — the Island’s very own jingle run.

This event has something for everyone! There’s a fun run for the kiddos and a timed 5K run through beautiful downtown Edgartown during the festive Christmas in Edgartown weekend! You couldn’t ask for a more beautiful course!

The Teddy Bear Trot is an important part of the Martha’s Vineyard Teddy Bear Suite Fundraiser, which is raising money for the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club’s Happy Healthy Kids (H2K), the Club’s initiative to address childhood hunger on the Island.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at Henry’s Restaurant. The Fun Run for the kiddos starts at 9:45, and the race beginning at 10:00 a.m. With this timing, you can even do Breakfast With Santa at the Wharf first if you like. You can also pre-register online.

The race begins at the front of the Harbor View Hotel and ends at the Teddy Bear Suite, Captain’s Cottage #20. There, medals will be handed out to the best of several categories. But I also have to tell you that the overall winner male and female will be getting running gloves and ear bands to from Lulu Lemon in Edgartown (open for the Christmas in Edgartown weekend) in addition to medals and a sweet surprise!

The categories for the race (male and female):

70 and Up

60 – 69

50 – 59

40 – 49

30 – 39

20 – 29

16 – 19

13 – 15 

10 – 12

9 and under

Also, kids in the fun run will walk away with a box of the iconic Murdick’s Fudge! So, make sure you’ve got your festive attire ready, and sign up today! Pre-registration  is $20.00 and $25.00 the day of. The fun run is $5.00. Click here to register.

The first 100 people to sign up get a first ever – Teddy Bear Trot LONG sleeve t-shirt which have been completely underwritten by sponsors so the registration money goes to the Boys & Girls Club.

How the Teddy Bear Trot Is Possible

Kimberly Kirk, co manager of Martha’s Vineyard Hurricanes Youth Running Club, is helping organize the race again this year. Though the group is a nonprofit itself, the young runners involved are helping make the race possible as part of their community service requirements for school. Also, the group really wants to do its part to support H2K.

How great is this group of young people! Without them, this third one would not be as amazing. After all, we are teddy bear people, not race people. This race is such a great addition to Christmas in Edgartown, a healthy addition to a weekend of cookies and holiday merriment.

Don’t forget that the Teddy Bear Suite is open all weekend, with extended hours during Christmas in Edgartown, and the following weekend. Check out our events calendar for more details. 

Also, the highly anticipated Martha’s Vineyard Teddy Bear Suite raffle will be happening over the weekend too – gift certificates to 27 restaurants, a Lure-Fish print, and more! Find out what we have this year, click here.