Northside Jogging Club sets host of new running records
—Courtesy photo Jogging Club students at Northside Elementary School proudly display their T-shirts, which boast the number of miles they ran on the back.
“Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.” — John F. Kennedy
SANDPOINT — Every Spring students at Northside Elementary School put their running shoes on and participate in the Northside Jogging Club, a program that promotes running and lifetime fitness, with a record-setting effort turned in this spring.
The goal of the program is to run 30 miles in six weeks, or a mile a day. If students complete this task they are awarded a T-shirt, but they don’t need to stop at 30. Their T-shirt reflects the number of miles they ran on the back, and they also earn little foot pendants that go on a chain for every five miles.
This season 35 students accomplished the task, and 11 records were broken. Fourth graders Crosby Schmidt and Avery Smart each ran 105 miles, shattering the old school record of 83 miles. Not far behind was Dillon Tope, setting the 3rd grade boy’s record with 103 miles. Competing with Tope in the 3rd grade was Dallen Adam with 85 miles. Anders Eastley set the 5th grade boy’s record with 83.
Sara Hogue set the 4th grade girl’s record with 55 miles. Dallen Williams set the 2nd grade boy’s record with 55 miles. Jack Schriber broke the 1st grade record with 53 miles. Mason Riffel set the first kindergarten record with 46 miles. Sierra Ruby set the 2nd grade girl’s record with 42 miles.
“I am really excited for the program next year, 34 of 35 students that accomplished the task are returning,” said teacher Jake Peterson. “It makes a very happy P.E. teacher that so many kids have taken to the program. It is all positive and creates a great work ethic. You want to earn feet, get a T-shirt, or set a record you have to put in the work and you will get the reward.”