Recently the annual 5K fundraiser run was held at the duo's school. Although they take this run very seriously, we haven't been very diligent about the twice weekly, 7:15am training runs this year because of illness, rain and, less often, the occasional cold morning. For the past two years, they have pretty easily completed the run with competitive times, but I had wondered if just the regular training in PE would have them ready.
There were so many fast runners, and so many students beat their old times. Lauren ended up finishing in first place for third grade, and Grace finished strong in fifth place. We couldn't be prouder of their determination and grit.
The really big finishes of the day came from a couple of second and third grade students who have some difficulty walking but who managed to finish the 5K. Although unable to run and struggling to walk, they walked fifteen laps - 3.2 miles - in one hour. When one sweet girl fell twice during the last 100 feet of the run and had to have her legs rubbed down to work out cramps, there weren't many dry eyes from the spectators. For the past three years there have been stories like this, and I still get chills when I see a group of children run across the field to cheer for a friend who is struggling to finish.
This event raises some money for the school, but more than that, the event leaves students stronger and more confident. Most of all, it's an opportunity for the students to support one another.
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