Northpinellas: Pinellas digest

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Adopt-a-thon focuses on special cases

CLEARWATER -- The Humane Society of North Pinellas will hold an adopt-a-thon focused on pets in special circumstances from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 22 at 3040 State Road 590. Usually, the Humane Society holds such events to place as many pets as possible. This event is intended to find homes for the 39 dogs and cats that are more than 6 years old, have been in the shelter more than 3 months or are recovering from injury or illness. These pets will be available for a $15 adoption fee, while other dogs and cats will be available for $25. The usual adoption fees are $30 to $45. Fees include spaying or neutering, vaccinations, a microchip and deworming. Dogs are tested for heartworms, and cats are tested for feline leukemia. The Humane Society also will adopt rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, ferrets and other small animals out of its new Small Wonders adoption facility. The fees for those animals range from $2 to $25. Call (727) 797-7722.

Warmup work for Turkey Trot begins

Training classes for runners planning to participate in the 23rd annual Times Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morning will start at 8 a.m. Saturday at Shelter 1 at Taylor Park, 1100 Eighth Ave. SW in Largo and at John Chesnut Sr. Park, 2200 East Lake Road in East Lake. The classes will continue each Saturday up to race day. Beginners and former runners will complete a training program culminating in the starting line of the Gobbler 1-mile run, the Wingding 5K (3.1 miles) and the Trot 10K (6.2 miles). The Wingding classes are geared to teach the principles of running and fitness while building stamina through the walk-run method. Race walking instruction also will be provided by race walking coach Bonnie Stein, who can be reached at 394-WALK (9255). Runners who want to increase their running distances from 2 to 6 miles should train with the Trot 10K group. Guest speakers will discuss foot care and wear, stretching, nutrition, running biomechanics and other topics. Graduation is capped off with a pancake breakfast hosted by the West Florida Y Runners Club. During the week, interested runners and walkers meet at 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks Family Life Center, 12685 Ulmerton Road, Largo, to train on the church's lighted property. Mary Lou Johnson is the Largo instructor and can be reached at 595-2586 or by e-mail at mllouie@tampabay.rr.com. Linda Schumacher is the East Lake instructor and can be reached at 939-8038 or by e-mail at two.shoes@verizon.net. Skip Rogers, Turkey Trot race director, can be reached at 442-5838 or by e-mail at trotskip@gte.net.

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