At 9:48 a.m. on Thursday, May 8, all runners gathered on the playground to hear what was expected of them as participants and they were reminded that this was a fun event so they should enjoy themselves with the other runners.

Then some leg stretches, and cardio were performed followed by instructions for the 5K runners who were to go straight out Camels Hump Road for 2.5K and then turning around there at the water station and return to the school. First responder vehicles with flashing lights were stationed at road crossings and junctions with the drivers and passengers outside clapping and cheering the runners as they passed by.

Principal Shawn Ball was the race announcer at the starting line for both the 5K and the 1-Mile run spaced six minutes apart. 

“I’ve been here nine years now and this is the third one we’ve (St. Regis School) hosted and they are more fun every time. I think each school gets a kick out of having the other two schools come to their campus. I know we do!” 

Ball thinks this annual event is the only time that all three county schools get together unless they happen to be competing in a tournament in another town.

Barb Jasper with the Mineral County Health Department said she heard there were about 400 runners registered, which are students, staff and family members. 

“5th and 6th grade students are running the 5K and there are some younger students that have their parent’s permission to run it, but if they haven’t practiced then they run the 1-miler with their friends,” she said.

Ball gave credit where it was due. 

“Jenn Donovan (Mineral County Health Department) is the one who kinda spurs it and then she requires certain things from the schools like water and lunches. And then the other schools do provide portions of the meal, that is fruit and snacks. She gives a list to the school administrators of what they have to bring. She’s got it pretty organized as she has just about everyone from the Health Department out here in key positions for the event.” 

Sandwiches, chips, tangerines and apples were being placed on the tables by older students who were helping along with other community helpers. One volunteer, Shirley Iwata, wasn’t sure of what her official duty was, so she was going around visiting with parents, teachers and students as the Fun Run Cheerleader until she was told what her job was. 

“All I know is that I’m to be at the end of the race helping when they come in at the finish line,” as she points to the big blue inflatable arch with START.

The All-School Fun Run couldn’t have been scheduled for a more perfect day as the runners came back and plopped down on the playground grass enjoying their food and laughing with each other on what a great day of school they were having.

    The 5K was for the older students but younger ones could participate if they had a written permission slip. This year’s course was straight out Camels Hump Road to the water station at the halfway point and then back to the St. Regis School for lunch. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
  

    St. Regis School hosted the 20th annual Mineral County Fun last week on May 8. Kindergarten through 6th-grade students participated in a 1-mile fun run or a 5K race along Mullan Gulch Road past the St. Regis Community Park on a beautiful sunny morning. (Mineral Independent/Amy Quinlivan)