Students gather for annual Mineral County Fun Run
Kathleen Woodford Mineral Independent | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 years, 6 months AGO
St. Regis Senior, Ebon Jones, played music and was the emcee during the Annual Fun Run in St. Regis on May 2. (Kathleen Woodford/Mineral Independent).
Truman Traeder from Superior and Connor Lulis from St. Regis are both second graders and came in first and second during the 1-mile race during this year’s Fun Run in St. Regis. (Kathleen Woodford/Mineral Independent).
Around 350 kids from all three Mineral County schools participated in the annual Mineral County Fun Run held in St. Regis on May 2. Here Kindergarten through fourth graders start their 1-mile race. (Kathleen Woodford/Mineral Independent).
St. Regis Senior, Brock Cantrell-Field gives the fifth and sixth graders high-fives before the start of their 5K run during the Fun Run. (Kathleen Woodford/Mineral Independent).
Students line up for a lunch of sandwiches, fruit and vegetables after their 1-mile and 5K races during the Fun Run in St. Regis. (Kathleen Woodford/Mineral Independent).
The 5K winners were Lanie Crabb from Superior with a time of 28:28 and Lucas Kovalsky with 23:03, both in fifth grade. Also, sister and brother, Payton (27:38) and Decker (22:28) Milender, sixth graders from Superior. (Kathleen Woodford/Mineral Independent).
Barb Jaspers stands at the finish line and gives students a high-five as they complete the 1-mile and 5K races during Tuesday’s Annual Mineral County Fun Run. (Kathleen Woodford/Mineral Independent).
“This is absolutely my favorite day of the year,” said Barb Jasper, Mineral County Public Health Nurse, as she tallied up times at the finish line during Mineral County’s Annual Fun Run. “I like the energy and all the kids come out and realize that fitness is fun. They have a great time every year and the staff has a good time. We always try to do something that’s healthy afterwards and this year Supaman will come out and spread a positive message and it should be a good way to wrap it up.”
The event involves elementary students from all three county schools, St. Regis, Superior and Alberton. The schools take turn hosting the event which is in its 12th year. This year, teams traveled to St. Regis where over 350 students met on the football field last Tuesday, May 2. Generally, Kindergarten through fourth graders run the one mile and fifth and sixth graders run the 5K or 3 mile race, however the students can chose which one they want to run.
The fifth and sixth graders lined up on the road first and prepared to run the 5K to Camels Hump then across the bridge toward Little Joe, up to the triplets driveway and then loop back to the football field. The younger students then lined up for the 1-mile which went to the Forest Service and then to Camel Hump and back to the football field.
A giant archway was set up on the field where student students finished their race.
“This is so much fun and it’s important to emphasize having fun with health and wellness. I love races, it gives people energy and this exposes kids at a young age to that,” said Jennifer Donovan, who coordinated the event with the help
of others like St. Regis Athletic Director, Jesse Allan, and Barb Jasper. It was her first Fun Run and she stood near the finish line cheering the young runners on as they finished their race.
Though no time was kept, second graders Truman Traeder from Superior and Connor Lulis from St. Regis came in first and second place. The 5K winners were Lanie Crabb from Superior with a time of 28:28 and Lucas Kovalsky with 23:03, both in fifth grade. Also, sister and brother, Payton (27:38) and Decker (22:28) Milender, sixth graders from Superior. They all received trophies during the afternoon assembly.
The school scores for the fifth and sixth graders were also added up and averaged and the winner received the “traveling trophy” shared between the three schools. This year, the trophy went to Superior, for the second year in a row. Superior had 43:37; Alberton 45:06; and St. Regis 45:48. In the past, St. Regis has won it five times, Alberton twice and this was the fifth win for Superior.
After the race, everyone lined up and were fed turkey or ham sandwiches, fruit and vegetables. They then attended an assembly where Native American dancer and innovative hip hop artist, Supaman, entertained with his message of hope through culture and music.