Jacksonville Country Day School had 28 students, six faculty members and 15 parents participate in The Run Home 5K on May 14. The students and faculty are members of the after-school enrichment program Sharks on the Run and used this race as their season's culminating event.
The proceeds from this race go to Sulzbacher and Rethreaded, organizations that help the Jacksonville homeless community and human trafficking survivors get back on their feet with employment opportunities, housing and more.
The Sharks on the Run club was started by first grade team lead Kate Krawiec and pre-K 4 teacher Vallis Henley. The two are running partners outside of the school and talked about starting a running club when they began working together this year. This is the first year the school has offered this program. Forty students signed up to participate during the spring offering of this activity.
“It’s amazing to see students of various ages and backgrounds come together to support one another and be active at the same time,” said Krawiec. “I love being able to share my passion for running with the students of JCDS.”
Students met from 3:05 to 4:15 p.m. every Monday since January to focus on stretching before and after running, proper running form, interval options, pacing, speedwork and, most of all, having fun.
Krawiec and Henley thought a fun way to end the season would be to participate in a 5K. The Home Run race turned out to be the perfect event. For many students, this was the longest distance they have ever run. For some, it was even double their longest distance.
Nine students from Sharks on the Run took home “Age Group Winner” trophies; this means that the students finished in the top three in their age group. The age groups the students placed in were female 10 and under, female 11-13, and male 11-13.
“My heart was exploding with pride all day,” said Krawiec. “It's one thing to experience the feeling of completing a race for yourself. It’s an entirely different feeling watching your children and students cross the finish line.”
For the 2022-23 academic year, the school will offer Sharks on the Run during both the fall and the spring sessions for the first time.
“I can’t wait to continue encouraging students to be active and support one another through running,” said Krawiec.
