Girl Scouts join Cookie Classic Run

Published 6:46 pm Saturday, February 13, 2016

Members of Girl Scout Troop 946 from Suffolk were among the more than 200 participants in this year’s Girl Scout Cookie Classic Run on January 30 at Bells Mill Park in Chesapeake. From left are Troop 946 members Nancy Bagbey, Girl Scout Ambassador Kortnie Downie, Aimee Downie, Girl Scout Senior Lelia Bagbey, Girl Scout Ambassador Ariel Salerno and Angie Salerno.

Members of Girl Scout Troop 946 from Suffolk were among the more than 200 participants in this year’s Girl Scout Cookie Classic Run on January 30 at Bells Mill Park in Chesapeake. From left are Troop 946 members Nancy Bagbey, Girl Scout Ambassador Kortnie Downie, Aimee Downie, Girl Scout Senior Lelia Bagbey, Girl Scout Ambassador Ariel Salerno and Angie Salerno.

More than 300 runners and walkers took part in the second annual Girl Scout Cookie Classic Run on Jan. 30 at Bells Mill Park in Chesapeake.

The race, which included a 5k Trefoil Trek and 1-mile Samoa Stroll, was organized by Girl Scout volunteers from Community 3, a membership area within Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast that includes Chesapeake, Suffolk, Norfolk and surrounding cities.

The Trefoil Trek 5k race competitors took off at 9 a.m., following an opening ceremony with the Girl Scout Promise and Law and a welcome from Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast CEO Tracy Keller. Participants in the 5k ranged in age from 2, riding in a stroller along the course, to 63. Everyone was given a Cookie Classic medal at the finish line.

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An hour later, the one-mile Samoa Stroll participants assembled at the starting line. They were given a patch at the end of the race.

Between the two races, Girl Scout alumnae served as judges to choose winners for the Best Spirit and Best Costume contests. Many Girl Scouts were dressed as their favorite cookies, while others were decked out in tutus and other fun outfits. Top race finishers for each age category were also recognized during the event.

Girl Scouts who participated in either race completed requirements towards earning a badge for their age level, including the My Best Self badge for Girl Scout Brownies and the Staying Fit badge for Girl Scout Juniors.

Proceeds from the Cookie Classic will help provide programs for Girl Scouts, learning opportunities and training for Girl Scout volunteers and financial assistance for girls who would otherwise not be able to participate in Girl Scouts.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program will run through March 20. Cookie booth sales will begin Feb. 20, and cookie customers can visit girlscoutcookies.org to enter their zip code and find a list of scheduled cookie booths nearby.