The first of series of the President's Fitness Challenge mile runs was held in Blackhawk Stadium Sunday.
With each runner competing with themselves for medals, 28 youth runners covered the distance with several standout performances. The participants all ran/walked a one mile distance with the time they attained scored on the President's Mile Chart. A percentage score is determined with 85 percent and up earning gold medals, students below that but above 50 percent winning silver, with all others who complete the distance qualifying for bronze medals.
The top overall scorer for the boys was third-grader Colt Perry who recorded a time of 7:11, topping the charts at the 100 percent level. The highest scoring girl was Zoeyanne Timmons, who scored a 95 percent mark with a 8:18 clocking.
Gold medalists for the boys were Trey Bounds , Cade Perry, Isaiah McGee, Taet Piper, Josiah McGee, Elijah McGee, Collin McGee, Isaac and Cruz. Other girl gold medalists were Anna McGee, Anna Price and Alissa Russell.
Silver medalists were Austin Bratti, Landon Perry, Elmer Menijar, Levi Ragsdale, Andrew Russell, Isaiah Cruz, Brett Perry, Ariana Jenkins, Lana Bounds, Akirya Clark and Chloe Pitts. Bronze medalist winners were Cadence Bevill, Harley Ragsdale, Dalton Willcuts, Liam Little, Travis Stacy, Evan Escajeda and Elijah Smith.
The races were named for the late Lora McGee Little, who died this past spring after a 16-month battle with cancer. Little was an active youth runner and had competed in running events for most of her life. Her children attend Pea Ridge schools.
Most of the runners have been participating in the Trackhawks youth fitness program, which is co-directed by John McGee and Haley Denney. Denney was an original member of the first Trackhawks group in 1998.
The groups goal is the district's 7th Habit of the schools 7 Habits Program. That habit is "Sharpen the Saw" which relates to personal health and fitness.
There will be another run in two weeks. There is no charge to be a member of the Trackhawks, nor is there a charge to compete in the races. The Trackhawks practice at 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, with the next workout set for the track tomorrow.
Community on 10/04/2017