Marsh Fork Elementary Active SWV Run Club recently completed its first session with a celebratory fun run on October 6th, 2016. The club met before school, twice a week, for 6 weeks leading up to the exciting run. Their bi-weekly training was lead by dedicated faculty volunteers, Kim Cantley and Katelyn Moore. This group of individuals transformed over the course of the run club into a strong and cohesive team. Their pre-race huddle and “Marsh Fork Bulldogs” chant demonstrated their great spirit and energy.
The fun run was a special school-wide event, which occurred during the school day. Classes lined up around the school to cheer the runners on and then proceeded to fill the stands in the gym for a post-race award ceremony. The entire school was present to celebrate this run club. Runners enjoyed post-race snacks and water as they waited for the audience to file into the gym. After, each runner was announced and received a finishers medal and personalized certificate.
Marsh Fork Elementary P.E. Teacher and Volunteer Run Club coach, Katelyn Moore, got to witness firsthand the great successes of the group throughout the program. “The kids worked hard for 6 weeks, it was awesome to see what they accomplished by race day,” explained Moore.
The central goal of Active Southern West Virginia Kids Run Clubs is for kids to develop an enjoyment and understanding of exercise, while learning healthy habits that extend beyond the program. The participants learn the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle, team building, and techniques for being a healthy runner.
Running, specifically, is extremely beneficial for kids because it is one of the most accessible sports. It doesn’t require equipment, aside from running shoes, and there is no specific location needed to practice–kids can run anywhere there is open space. Not only is running affordable, but it also promotes a healthy heart, healthy lungs, and strong muscles. Through targeting the youth with this fun initiative, we hope to not only improve the immediate health of the participants, but also instill knowledge, awareness, and ability in West Virginia’s youth.
The Marsh Fork Elementary Run Club will resume for its spring session in March of 2017!
The Marsh Fork Elementary Run Club was made possible through support from the Beckley Area Foundation
