The sun was shining, a slight chill in the air and people where there, in festive spirit. With an increase of race participants, this year’s Teddy Bear Trot was a truly great event. Santa Hats, tutus, ugly sweaters and more made North Water Street even more Christmasy for that Sunday morning.
With registration all the way up to the event, delaying us a bit, people were excited. We think the t-shirts added to the fun. These red, long sleeve t’s definitely made people smile. The shirts were designed by Carolee from Color Concepts MV – with the work done in kind.
Rosbeck Builders, MV Insurance, South Mountain Company, and Tuck & Holland Metal Sculptors, together sponsored the shirts and the chipped bibs (we got professional bibs for the timing this year). Enabling registration fees to the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club’s Healthy Happy Kids which feeds hundreds of elementary school aged children each week after school, and is the direct focus of the Martha’s Vineyard Teddy Bear Suite Fundraiser.
First up was the kids up. Those cuties at gave it their best, and boy did they look cute! To celebrate their success and efforts, they were awarded a box of delicious, Island made, Murdick’s Fudge, also donated.
When it came time for the run, there were some serious competitors at this 5K. The course, which started at the Harbor View Hotel went though downtown Edgartown, turning in Katama, and then ended at the front of the teddy bear suite. There we had water donated from Cape Cod Express and hot cocoa, of course, from the Harbor View Hotel.
There, metals were awarded to a number of categories for male and females, which the first place also received a large box of fudge from Murdick’s Fudge and prizes from Lulu Lemon. Both winners received running gloves, the male a hat and the female a runner’s headband, all this to celebrate their win.
Our first place over all male was Ryan Sawyer, with 17:14, age group 20 – 29. First place female was Lily Moran, with 21:37, age group 10 – 12!
Here are the other winners in their age groups!
60 – 69 – Jason Lew & Brenda Gerosa – Beal
50 – 59 – Paul Vertefeuille & Gail Morey
40 – 49 – Anthony Holland & Melissa Lewis
30 – 39 – Renee DaSilva & Bonnie Kingsbury
20 – 29 – Ryan Sawer & Rose Shelly
16 – 19 – no entries
13 – 15 – Pibb Wright & Eloise Christy
10 – 12 – Liam Conley & Lilly Moran
9 and under Declan Diriwachter (for the 2nd year)
It was a great, family friendly event! So much fun, I think Griffin Tiernan (age 6) definitely had fun! For all the results, you can visit http://www.coolrunning.com/results/17/ma/Dec10_TeddyB_set1.shtml
The 3rd Annual Teddy Bear Trot raised almost $3,000 for the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club, double the amount from year two. We could not be more excited and can’t wait for next year’s.
With all the excitement, we cannot also forget to thank the Vineyard Hurricanes. This amazing middle school running group has helped continue to grow this race. As part of their community service, they work to make this event possible.
A very special thanks to Kim Kirk, from the Vineyard Hurricanes, who worked so hard on this event – she got the volunteers, the designs for the poster and the t-shirts, the bibs, the timing. She did so much, and is simply amazing. She can make magic happen, and I think our good weather is due to her amazing spirit!
We also couldn’t ask for a better partner for the location – the Harbor View Hotel is such a beautiful backdrop for a 5k, and registration. We feel very lucky!
We are so close to our $20,000 goal for the Club’s Healthy Happy Kids after school food program, but we want to raise as much as we can of the program’s $50,000 funding need. Please help, click here to donate.
For more information about #mvteddybearsuite events, hours, and more, visit mvteddybearsuite.com.