More than 1,000 students ran through Centennial Park on a chilly Thursday morning, competing against one another.
This was the first year Innisfail Middle School hosted the Chinook’s Edge School Division Cross Country Fun Run that bused in students from K-6 from 16 different schools.
“This is a chance for the kids to have some fun and burn off some energy,” said middle school athletic director, Pat Adams, amidst the hustle and bustle of 1,013 students racing around, chatting, and some warming by a fire.
Groups took off one after another, the youngest grades going first.
“It was lots of fun,” said Laura Balkwill of Sundre, who placed first for girls in Grade 1. Hannah Sheehan, from Olds Koinonia Christian School came in right behind her. “I practise a lot,” said the soft-spoken athlete of her secret for surpassing over 60 other girls.
Grade 1 and 2 students ran 100 metres, 2 and 4 ran 1,500 and the Grade 5 and 6 students ran 2,000.
Grade 6 Garrick Lee, from Innisfail Middle School, waited patiently by the finish line for his brother and sister to come in.
“I’m waiting to cheer them on,” said Garrick, who was impressed when his brother took 48th place.
“It’s cool we all get to run together.”
By the end of the race, kids were shedding jackets and catching their breath down on the grass.
“It was cold, it makes you almost dizzy,” said Innisfail Middle School student Kaitlyn Bowe. “It’s a little hard in the cold, but I think I’d do it again,” added friend Olivia Motley. The two finished in 33rd and 34th place.
Results:
Grade 6 Boys:
Reid Jacobs, RVS
Kaleb Furst, OKCS
Dylan Price, RVS
MacGregor Manyluk, Poplar Ridge School
Joel Pedrow, RVS
Grade 6 Girls
Kayden Byrtus, Delburne
Dani Forsberg, Elnora
Mikayla Dowler, IMS
Deshann Valentine, RVS
Chance Duda, Delburne
Grade 5 Boys
Nick Ross, RVS
Samuel Moffat, Deer Meadow
Vince Vant Klooster, Deer Meadow
Trevor Simpson, RVS
Carter Graf, Poplar Ridge
Grade 5 Girls
Abi Hartzler, HSS
Kyla Gordon, HSS
Georgia Biggs, Delburne
Regan Dagg, Dear Meadow
Jaymie Connrad, HSS
Grade 4 Boys
Steven Bell, Olds Elementary
Ronan Seely, OKCS
Aiden Good, Carstairs
Mason Mueller, RVS
Matt Fluet, RVS
Grade 4 Girls
Amelia Furst, OKCS
Kendra Ross, RVS
Katie Keller, Carstairs
Christa Hooper, Carstairs
Sadie Jeffries, Poplar Ridge
Grade 3 Boys – Heat 1
Joseph Andrews, OKCS
Aiden Kelly, JDES
Caleb Trotter, Olds Elementary
Ethan Simpson, RVS
Keenan Green, JDES
Grade 3 Boys – Heat 2
Tanner Austin, Chinook Center School/ Ryan Seeley, OKCS
Connar Lappage, Olds Elementary
Ben McGonigal, CES
Dylan Marshall, CES
Austin Mytton, Delburne
Grade 3 Girls
Kallie Cloudston, Olds Elementary
Alex Peterson, RVS
Ellie Peterson, Olds Elementary
Kennedy Chrest, Olds Elementary
Megan Borys, JDES
Grade 2 Boys
Charlie Wright, Olds Elementary
Koby Smither, RVS
Philip Percault, Olds Elementary
Walker Dixon, Olds Elementary
Daniel Jacobs, OKCS
Grade 2 Girls
Elianna Seely, OKCS
Tina Schaedeli, Chinook Center School
Megan Weiss, RVS
Emma Evans, JDES
Ailish Kope, OKCS
Grade 1 Boys
Jayce Beckman, Olds Elementary
Johnathon Anderson, JDES
Murray Fluet, RVS
Michael Good, OKCS
Israel Furst, OKCS
Grade 1 Girls
Laura Balkwill, RVS
Hannah Sheehan, OKCS
Jaylin Kinschuh, Olds Elementary
Kiarra Longmuir, Olds Elementary
Tayanah Scott, RVS
Kindergarten
Ryan Seeley, Olds Koinonia Christian School.
