By

William Gray,   Hampton Prep High Sch

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Physical Activity Participation

At our school a co-worker and I started a Run Club to get kids active and taking a role in their personal health and wellbeing. I am the Head Girls and Boys Cross Country coach at our high school and feel that running is an excellent way to get in shape. The goal of Run Club was to participate in 2 local 5k runs in the fall and 2 in the spring. Due to other commitments that didn't happen this year, but is on the agenda for next year. However, we did participate in a local 5k Foam Glow Run. For many of the 14 scholars that participated it was their first 5k run in a public race. Needless to say they loved it. It wasn't a true 5k run, but instead a walk with thousands of other people. A few scholars and I did run, but the vast majority walked. Either way, they were active, tried something new, and got a little closer to improving their health. Now that they have seen how much fun they are we are already in the planning stages for our next event. The great thing is that the scholars that didn't participate heard how fun it was and are wanting to go in the future.

How did students and adults work together as a team?

The initial idea of participating in a local 5k was mine, and with the help of a co-worker we created a Run Club. It was an off and on sort of club with limited success. But in March a scholar that participates in local 5k runs on a regular basis asked if we could organize something so that scholars could join her. This scholar made fliers and announcements at school and with the help of myself and my partner we were able to gather 14 scholars and 4 adults to join. It was extremely successful.

How do you plan to make this Play last during the school year and beyond?

With the success of the first 5k run and the excitement of those involved and those that want to be involved in the future we plan to participate in 2 events in the fall and 2 in the spring. I see this being a yearly event and as excitement grows we may do more so more scholars can be involved.