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Promoting fitness, charity: Students get fit and give to others during World Run Day event
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| Stretch right! Students from the Joanne Todd Christian School, under the watchful eye of Beth Brinkley, warm-up prior to celebrating World Run Day in Willcox earlier this month. Pictured from left: Luke Todd, Sarah Boss, and Zoe Serfontein. Hailey Clifton is in front of them, to Brinkley's left. (Photo by Carol Broeder/Arizona Range News) |
By Carol Broeder/Arizona Range News
Seventeen Willcox-area children were enthusiastic participants in an international day of running earlier this month.
World Run Day, founded in 1999 by Bill McDermott, is an event that "asks runners around the world to run any distance they desire, and donate to their favorite charity."
While World Run Day was officially held on Sunday, Nov. 11, students from the Joanne Todd Christian School celebrated in Keiller Park the Friday before.
"It was a beautiful morning," said Beth Brinkley, who coordinated the Willcox event.
There were four Kindergarteners who ran one-half mile, except for one, Hailey Clifton, who ran a mile with the first through fourth graders, she said.
The four fifth-through-eighth graders ran a mile, except for one who stopped at a half-mile.
World Run Day is not so much about running races, but promoting fitness.
And, in their "celebration" of running, participants have backed nearly 1,000 separate charities since 1999.
"We need an international day of running, and we need an international day of charity," says McDermott, who is a Long Island runner.
"Running is a fantastic activity with countless benefits and its day is long overdue."
"All the kids were pumped up," said Brinkley, who teaches P.E. at the school and is herself a runner. "They really got into it, and they cared about their times."
The "Crusaders" wore their purple and gold school shirts, but were given event t-shirts at the end.
Their charity of choice this year is "Samaritan's Purse."
"They do so much at Christmas, especially with the shoe boxes," Brinkley said.
Operation Christmas Child, the world's largest Christmas program for kids, collects and ships shoe boxes filled with gifts. Since 1993, more than 46 million boxes have been distributed in more than 130 countries.
So far, the school has collected nearly $60, mostly in donations from the parents.
The school, which has a total student body of 33, plans to invite the Willcox Elementary and Middle Schools to join them next year.
"We'd like to make it an annual event," Brinkley told the Range News.
World Run Day, founded in 1999 by Bill McDermott, is an event that "asks runners around the world to run any distance they desire, and donate to their favorite charity."
While World Run Day was officially held on Sunday, Nov. 11, students from the Joanne Todd Christian School celebrated in Keiller Park the Friday before.
"It was a beautiful morning," said Beth Brinkley, who coordinated the Willcox event.
There were four Kindergarteners who ran one-half mile, except for one, Hailey Clifton, who ran a mile with the first through fourth graders, she said.
The four fifth-through-eighth graders ran a mile, except for one who stopped at a half-mile.
World Run Day is not so much about running races, but promoting fitness.
And, in their "celebration" of running, participants have backed nearly 1,000 separate charities since 1999.
"We need an international day of running, and we need an international day of charity," says McDermott, who is a Long Island runner.
"Running is a fantastic activity with countless benefits and its day is long overdue."
"All the kids were pumped up," said Brinkley, who teaches P.E. at the school and is herself a runner. "They really got into it, and they cared about their times."
The "Crusaders" wore their purple and gold school shirts, but were given event t-shirts at the end.
Their charity of choice this year is "Samaritan's Purse."
"They do so much at Christmas, especially with the shoe boxes," Brinkley said.
Operation Christmas Child, the world's largest Christmas program for kids, collects and ships shoe boxes filled with gifts. Since 1993, more than 46 million boxes have been distributed in more than 130 countries.
So far, the school has collected nearly $60, mostly in donations from the parents.
The school, which has a total student body of 33, plans to invite the Willcox Elementary and Middle Schools to join them next year.
"We'd like to make it an annual event," Brinkley told the Range News.
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