Ready, set, go

The three county schools gather in Alberton for the annual fun run

"On your mark. Get set. Go."

Students from the three county schools in grades preschool to sixth grade gathered in Alberton on Wednesday, May 19 for the fifth annual 5k Fun Run. Sue Hazlett from the Mineral County Health Department said that the event is a way to keep kids fit and to show them that being active can be fun. Superior nurse Barb Jasper said that the event is a fun and "healthy competition" between the three schools.

Jasper said that the event, while competitive, encourages the kids to have a healthy lifestyle. She said that what's also neat about the event is that it includes everyone.

"They can have fun, be fit and have fun together," Jasper said.

It was a warm day for the event with the sun shining as the kids lined up in the middle of the street and took off at a sprint as the race began. The top ten times of the fifth and sixth graders are recorded as they come in and averaged together to determine the winner. For the past three years, St. Regis had won the event taking home the traveling trophy. However, Superior was pumped up and ready to go, stepping off the bus cheering loudly and waving signs. With the Superior sixth graders unable to attend, the fourth graders ran in their place. Awards are also handed out for the top two runners across the fifth and sixth grades. While the older kids run in the 5k, the younger kids participated in the 1k run.

"This just teaches kids that they can accomplish more than they thought," said Alberton fourth grade teacher Maureen Froehlich. "It also gets them outside and being active."

As students ran and pushed toward the finish line, several teachers, instructors, students and parents cheered them on encouraging them. They yelled for them to finish strong, to go get them, that they could do it and that there was only one more lap to go. Once they were finished, adults advised the students to walk a bit and cool down.

In the 1k, Andrew Sanford from St. Regis was the first across the finish line. Sanford said that finishing first felt pretty good.

"I like having fun," Sanford said. "(Running) keeps your energy up. I enjoy it."

Blaine Parkin from Superior was the top fifth grader out of the three schools and the first one across the finish line for the 5k. He finished the race in 23:49.

"I didn't think I would do it," Parkin said. "It's cool. I'm glad the weather actually is nice because it's perfect for if you get sweaty."

Logan Donally was the top runner for the sixth graders with a time of 25:06. Donally said that the race, while fun, was "tiring."

Madison Hill from St. Regis was the second one in for the fifth graders.

"It feels pretty good," Hill said. "Once you're legs get used to it you can run forever. I'm kind of surprised. I thought I might get third or fourth."

Pilar Cantrell-Fields from St. Regis was the second sixth grader in. Students were also fed a healthy lunch at the event, awaiting the announcement of who had won.

Finally, St. Regis once again swept the field. The students cheered loudly as they were once again named the winners among the three schools and who will once again take the traveling trophy home.