700+ P-H-M Students Run Mile at Elementary Event

More than 700 fourth and fifth graders from Penn-Harris-Madison's 11 elementary schools completed the annual Running is Elementary mile race Thursday at Penn's cross-country course behind Elm Road Elementary School.

The P-H-M Education Foundation sponsors the free six-week running club, which trains students at each school before the race. Sunny skies and mild temperatures held through all races; rain began after the final finisher crossed the line.

In the 5th grade girls race, a Northpoint runner won in 6:49.07, with another Northpoint student second at 6:50.53. A Mary Frank runner placed third at 7:05.08. Northpoint, Horizon, and Mary Frank took the top three team spots.

A Northpoint runner won the 5th grade boys race in 6:14.75, followed by a Madison student at 6:16.06. Northpoint, Horizon, and Elm Road led the team standings.

In 4th grade girls, a Horizon student won at 7:06.27, with an Elm Road runner second at 7:30.09. Prairie Vista, Northpoint, and Bittersweet topped the team rankings.

The 4th grade boys race produced the day's tightest finish. A Walt Disney runner finished in 6:34.34, edging a Moran runner at 6:34.73. After crossing the finish line, the Disney runner found the Moran runner to take a photo together, despite never having met before the race. Northpoint, Bittersweet, and Elm Road earned the top team spots.

Each school's runners wore distinct colored shirts: Bittersweet in yellow, Elm Road in kelly green, Elsie Rogers in teal, Horizon in orange, Madison in purple, Mary Frank in lime green, Meadow's Edge in turquoise, Moran in hot pink, Northpoint in royal blue, Prairie Vista in red, and Walt Disney in navy.

Cindy Batalis, a physical education teacher at Mary Frank Elementary, created the program. Penn cross-country athletes, P-H-M teachers, coaches, school staff, and Education Foundation volunteers supported the event.

Martin's, Culver's, Kona Ice, and Tom's Coffee provided snacks and giveaways. Royal Excursion handled auxiliary parking, Benchmark Family Services helped offset costs, and attorney Katy Wrona sponsored the event.

Parents can contact their school's running coach for individual finish times.