Students run off holiday calories

Students run off holiday calories

+ click to enlarge News staff photo by Tara Vocino Students run in the Turkey Trot at Templeton Center School on Wednesday morning. + click to enlarge Courtesy photo Back row: Fourth-grade winners: second place, Lily Celata, third place, Ryan Nugent, first place, Natalee Medlin, second place, Kaleb Basso and third place , Kaitlyn Constantine. Front row: Third-grade winners: First place, Charlie Collaro; third place, Hunter Barlow; first place, Emily Kilbury; third place, Alaina Gallagher; second place, Jake O’Day; and second place, Ellan Swanson in the Turkey Trot at the Baldwinville Elementary School on Wednesday morning. Tara Vocino Reporter TEMPLETON — Templeton Center and Baldwinville Elementary students ran and walked off their Thanksgiving calories a day early during the Turkey Trot on Wednesday morning. Templeton Center students in kindergarten and first grade ran four laps around the baseball/soccer field. Baldwinville students in grades three and four ran two laps around the school. All students and staff walked downtown immediately after. Parents and teachers at Templeton Center School cheered on students as they ran by. Justin Baumann, whose first-grade son, Jordan, 7, ran the Trot, said it’s a good event to bring the community together at Templeton Center. He said it showcases small-town life. “I cheered him on and told him to run faster and hurry up,” Mr. Baumann joked. “He was losing.” Jordan received a sticker as a reward for each lap he ran. His wife, Cambri, said she’s surprised at the show of support. About 50 parents were on the sidelines, holding coffee cups in their hands. “It’s a good thing that so many parents are able to come to support their kids,” Ms. Baumann said. She said Jordan didn’t practice for it, but he runs during recess daily. Sixth-grader Olivia Basil, 6, said she ran nonstop, although she wasn’t panting, at Tem­pleton Center. “I thought it was cool and so much fun,” Olivia said. “We got to eat doughnuts after.” George Fichter cheered on his first-grade daughter, Mikayla, 6, at Templeton Center. “I thought it was a fantastic event,” Mr. Fichter said. “It’s a good way to get kids pumped up for the holiday.” Mr. Fichter said Mikayla didn’t practice for it, but she runs around the house. Event organizer Garth Weiderman, behavioral specialist at Templeton Center, said the Turkey Trot isn’t timed. “It is for fun and to give the students experience in running a race,” Mr. Weiderman said. “This prepares them for the competitive Turkey Trot at Baldwinville.” According to physical education teacher Ritchie Lunn at Baldwinville Elementary School, third-grade winners were Charlie Collaro, Jake O’Day, Hunter Barlow, Emily Kilbury, Ella Swanson and Alaina Gallagher. Fourth-grade winners were Shawn Stillman, Kaleb Basso and Ryan Nugent; Natalee Medlin, Lily Celata and Kaitlyn Constantine. He trained them for a couple of weeks in fitness and building endurance. “I taught them to work on their pacing – not run too fast, but to find a comfortable pace,” Mr. Lunn said. “The Trot is a great tradition. The kids enjoy it.” He said that last year they were lucky to just get the walk in, as it began snowing at 9:45 a.m. The Trot began at 10:15 a.m. Charlie had the fastest time with 4:42. He said he practiced five times with his mother, Andrea White. “I impressed the other kids,” Charlie said. “I play hockey, so that helped my speed.” Emily’s time was 5:11. She said she practiced with her father, Keven, and stretched to avoid cramps. “I’m kinda excited,” Emily said. “I jogged some of the way, ran around the school, and sprinted up the hill because I knew everyone else was behind me.” Emily plays basketball, baseball and soccer. She practiced by running up and down her street.