The Collins Middle School Run Club, powered by Active SWV, has been meeting to run 3 times a week throughout the winter. Although the cold weather keeps most people inside, this group has learned that the winter doesn’t have to hold them back. The group has been tough as nails getting active outside during these winter months, and volunteer coach and Collins Middle School teacher, Joe Lovell, makes it easy for them by teaching them about proper running attire in different temperatures.
Thanks to the volunteer support of Oak Hill High School cross country runners, the group is able to hit the wonderful Oak Hill Rail Trail right in their school’s backyard.
5th grader Joshua Cortines, has seen tangible results since participating in the run club. “It’s fun! [After 7 weeks of run club] I can run a lot faster, it’s a lot easier, and I don’t stop as much.” Cortines is looking forward to the start of baseball season in the Spring and is anxious to see how run club helps him as an athlete.
Another student, 6th grader, Aryana Kincaid, likes that run club keeps her accountable to run, even in the winter when the weather is bad. She is happy to run throughout the winter, knowing that it will help her when she starts cross country. “I started running cross county and I thought it would be a better build up for me running” Kincaid explained.
Coach Lavell thinks most of the group will join the track team, if not for the running, for the great comradery that this group has achieved.
