CAMBRIDGE – These little cats are fast.

The Maple Elementary School Lions held their annual Turkey Trot race on Tuesday to celebrate the Thanksgiving season and to introduce the young athletes to competitive racing. The event is conducted every year with the help of the Cambridge-South Dorchester High School cross country team.

Though it might have looked like simply a fun and exciting time, there was more to it.

“Students raised more than $900 for the Maple Lion Fund,” Physical Education Teacher Ryan Daniels said. “It will be used to help needy families and students in the Maple Lion Community.”

The C-SD students and their Coach Sean Reincke arrived in their uniforms and took up positions around the course behind the school. In doing this, some of the Vikings were continuing personal traditions – a few of the high school athletes took part in the Turkey Trot when they were students at Maple.

Sponsors were Simmons Center Market for Prize Turkeys, C Albert Mathews Inc. for snacks and drinks.

Students raised over 900 dollars for the Maple Lion Fund. Used to help needy families and students in Maple Lion Community.

According to their grades, students ran ¼ mile, 1/2 mile or 1 mile.

Cambridge-South Dorchester High School students helped around the track - and some of the Vikings used to participate in this event when they were at Maple Elementary.

Family members and fellow students cheered the winners as they reached the finish line. The winners were:

• Pre K

Boy- Isiah Harvey

Girl- Mariah Johnson

• Kindergarten

Boy- Raymond Adkins

Girl- Gy’Nilah Nash

• 1st grade

Boy-Braylen Potter

Girl- Amiyah Smith

• 2nd Grade

Boy- Livit Gomez

Girl-Alissa Pierce

• 3rd Grade

Boy- Gibby Robinson

Girl-Jenna Lephew

• 4th Grade

Boy-Christian Thomas

Girl-Janaya Stanley

• 5th Grade

Boy-Josiah Harris

Girl-Keniya White

Maple Elementary School ia the largest elementary school in Dorchester County, with more than 505 students in grades PreK-5,

The school is located at 5225 Egypt Road.

To reach the school, call 410-228-8577.  The school’s website can be found at dcpsk12.md.us.