Close to 1,000 kids from kindergarten to Grade 9 from 42 schools in Chinook's Edge Athletic Association (CEAA) walked or ran through the Napoleon Lake Centennial Park trail system for a cross-country race on Oct. 2.
In the morning, the Innisfail Middle School hosted the Chinook's Edge Cross Country Fun Run and the 42 schools sent close to 800 students, while eight Chinook's Edge Northern Athletic Association (CENAA) schools sent 150 runners to challenge the trails after school.
“It has been a busy day,” said Jay Steeves, principal of Innisfail Middle School, who hosted the event, which was held in Sylvan Lake last year on a snowy day. “In the morning during the Fun Run, the park was filled with kids from across Alberta which was great to see.” Patrick Adams, Innisfail Middle School's athletic director, added the Fun Run was open to every Chinook's Edge school and gave kids the opportunity to experience what a cross-country run was like.
“Not every student ran the full three kilometres and for the Fun Run, the kindergarten kids walked a 500-metre loop while the older ones got a two- kilometre modified route,” said Steeves.
Students from Delburne, Innisfail, Bowden, Spruce View, Elnora, Olds, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, and Destiny Christian School took to the trails after school on the full three-kilometre path, which runners and teachers deemed to be “fantastic.”
“We hosted grade 6 to 9 students for the medal event after school,” said Adams. “The Grade 6 kids' results did not count towards banners but was aimed more at experience rather than points.”
Molly Severtson, a Grade 7 student of the St. Marguerite Bears, was looking forward to the run, adding she enjoys running and is part of the track team.
Meanwhile, Spruce View Vikings athletes were pleased they didn't have to run in snow as in previous years.
Final results for team banners and medals were not available at press time.
Adams was impressed with the level of cooperation the school received from the Town of Innisfail.
“They were fantastic in allowing us to take over Centennial Park for a day,” said Adams. “Everyone involved thinks the course was perfect for the run. It was a long day from when we started setting up at 6 a.m. to when the last ribbon was taken down, but it was worth it.”
