When Vivienne first started the Healthy Kids Running Series – a national, community-based cross country running program – she was a rookie runner with zero experience in the world of racing.
But by the time the five-race series came to a conclusion, Vivi was the undefeated points champion in the second and third grade girls division.
Am I saying this to brag? Maybe a little bit, but what I’d really like to convey is the impact the competition had in her athletic development.
Vivi is a friendly, playful and sometimes even silly child, but when she took the starting line this spring I could see the look of determination in her eyes. It wasn’t just show, either. When the races started, Vivi employed a “catch me if you can” strategy, and while that plan often came at a price, she showcased mental toughness in closing out her wins.
The Vivi that came out of the Healthy Kids series is confident and competitive. When we train together now, she not only expects to leave me in the dust, she does so easily.
I’m only one of many proud parents, of course, as I got to watch similar stories play out for families all across this running series. I saw smiles from the children and high fives exchanged as they crossed the finish line to the sound of spirited cheering from the parents. I got so much enjoyment from watching my friend’s kid, Landon – a 3-year-old built like a linebacker – rumble through the 50-yard dash this spring.
This was all a terrific experience for us, and we are hoping Vivi chooses to compete again in the fall. The good news for the reader with young children is that Healthy Kids has races all over the country, including at dozens of locations all over Pennsylvania.
If you want my advice: Give it a shot. You just might be surprised at how competitive a “silly” child can get when given the right opportunity.
1 STEP BACK, 3 STEPS FORWARD
A family road trip to the Abington Triathlon was a memorable one for Fayetteville’s List family: Kevin, Audrey and Allison.
Kevin finished clocked a 1:09:17 to finish fifth in the field of 66 athletes, while his wife, Audrey, finished as second female in 1:16:52. Their daughter, Allison, topped the women’s field in 1:10:50.
Bryton Hazelton, of Chambersburg, also had success on the road. Competing at the God’s Country Half Marathon in Coudersport, Hazelton earned 10th place in 1:41:21.
Closer to home, the Race Against Poverty 5K in Chambersburg drew nearly 500 runners, including four area speedsters in the Top 10: Fayetteville’s Karter Reath (2nd in 16:04), Waynesboro’s Liam Kirkpatrick (3rd in 16:11), Greencastle’s Jarrett Gelsinger (8th in 17:47), and Chambersburg’s Cole Lehman (9th in 18:07). They were chased by Greencastle’s Daniel Miller (19:06) and Isaac Boyer (19:36), Chambersburg’s Aden Goshorn (18:53), Quinn Oyler (19:01), Michael Day (19:17), and Amanda Seibert (2nd female in 20:01), Saint Thomas’ Isaac Diehl (18:41) and Katelyn Clever (3rd female in 20:31), Waynesboro’s Noah Bockstie (20:25), Hagerstown’s Michael Sanders (20:38), and Fayetteville’s Eric Diamond (20:39).
Jana Fridrichova, of Hagerstown, showcased her talents at the Texas Quarry 5K in Lutherville Timonium, Maryland, a race that drew 270 runners. Fridrichova clocked a 22:11 to finish as third female.
Another top finish was recorded by Fayetteville’s Tim Welsh at the Rail 66 Time Trial, an 11.5-mile bike race held in Leeper. Welsh crossed the finish line in 30:28 for seventh place. Waynesboro’s Heather Nowell was also active on the bike at Rails to River XC Mountain Bike Race in Reston, Virginia, an event that saw her clock a 1:07:38 to earn third in the 40-49 AG.
A number of others were active in races across the region and beyond, including Waynesboro’s Kamren Griffin (37:32 at Precarious Beer Hall’s 6th Anniversary 5K) and Daniel Freeman (2:26:10 at Savage Race Charlotte), Chambersburg’s Jerod Harris (20:01 at Fertility Dreams Foundation Dream Run 5K), Nora Zubia (23:03 at Ryan Lambert Memorial 5K), and Christine Molloy (31:51 at 5K at the Farm), Fairfield’s Tori Krimm (27:31 at Frederick Girls on the Run 5K), Saint Thomas’ Shane Carbaugh (31:04 at Matzohball 5K), Hagerstown’s Kimberly Dumas (30:47 at Hope Without Boundaries 5K) and Charles Moser (52:03 at Run & Ride 10K; 1:54:31 at Rapterra Quarter Marathon)
And now, a look ahead:
Strokes, Spokes and Strides Sprint Triathlon: Saturday, 8 a.m., in Waynesboro. This race, in its 10th year, is now a USAT-sanctioned event. Register for the race on runsignup.com.
Solstice 5K/10K: Friday, June 20, 6:30 p.m., in Shippensburg. Celebrate the start of summer with this race, now in its 16th running. Register for the event on timberhilltiming.com.
Fountain Festival 5K: Saturday, June 21, 8:30 a.m., in Newville. Enjoy the small-town charm of Newville while running this race. Check out the event on runsignup.com.
Also: Army Birthday Run (Saturday, in Carlisle); Book it for the Annville Free Library 5K (Saturday, in Annville); Charcoal Challenge 5K (Saturday, in Gardners); Coal Cracker 10K (Saturday, in Shenandoah); Conneaut Lake Sprint Triathlon (Saturday, in Conneaut Lake); Dumb Dutchman Half Marathon (Saturday, in Reading); Hope Station’s Mile for Justice (Saturday, in Carlisle); Laurel Highlands Ultra 50K/70.5M (Saturday, in Ohiopyle); Medal Madness 5K/10K (Saturday, in York); Hempfield recCenter Tri for Life (Sunday, in Landisville); Ironman 70.3 Pennsylvania (Sunday, in Happy Valley); Jenny Lee Tri Cup (Sunday, in Beaver Falls); Run for the Ages 10K (Sunday, in Reading); Smith’s Challenge Trail Race 5M/10M (Sunday, in Lancaster); Thirsty Thursday 5K (Thursday, June 19, in Reading); Ghost Town Trail Challenge 12K/25K/50K (Saturday, June 21, in Black Lick); Hamburg Half Marathon (Saturday, June 21, in Hamburg); Hometown Heroes Trail 5K (Saturday, June 21, in Elizabethville); Medal Madness 5K/10K (Saturday, June 21, in Akron); Pennsylvania Brewery Running Series 5K (Saturday, June 21, in Erie); Rachel Carson Trail Challenge 34M (Saturday, June 21, in Pittsburgh); Love Inc. Run Your Race 5K (Saturday, June 21, in Hershey); Sproul 10K (Saturday, June 21, in Hyner); Coventry Woods Running Festival 5K/10K/3H/6H (Sunday, June 22, in Pottstown); Eager Seeger Half Marathon (Sunday, June 22, in Boalsburg); Got the Nerve Triathlon (Sunday, June 22, in Ephrata).
