RVA's Woodville Elementary Runs for Fun
Using a grant from Saucony, the Sports Backers and Woodville created a running club to get students healthy and active.
By: Cheryl Oliver
Over the summer at Woodville Elementary School in Richmond’s East End, students had the exciting opportunity to participate in a running program that met twice weekly after summer school hours. The summer run club was part of Woodville’s continuing effort to make students more active, along with helping them enjoy the benefits of running, through a partnership with the Sports Backers.
With its new vision of making Richmond the most active region in the country, the Sports Backers are placing a large emphasis on reaching children in Richmond’s underserved communities.
The neighborhoods surrounding Woodville have some of the highest percentages of students living in poverty in the city of Richmond. Ninety-six percent of the children who attend Woodville are eligible for the free or reduced lunch program—a national indicator of poverty. These children are at a disadvantage when it comes to physical activity opportunities and the risk factors for unhealthy behaviors.
Together, the Sports Backers and Woodville Elementary School were awarded a $10,000 grant from the Saucony Run For Good Foundation in April to implement the Woodville Runs for Fun program this summer.
One of the students that participated in the Woodville Runs for Fun program was Keon Brewer, a nine-year old rising fourth grader. This was Keon’s first time running with the program, but he was a natural. His favorite part of all of the various activities that took place during the summer run club was the 50 yard dash because he likes to run fast.
Keon Brewer
According to his mother, Stephanie, Keon has always been running. “As soon as he could walk, he started running,” Stephanie recalled. “And he ran everywhere!”
Keon enjoys running because it allows him to burn off some of his energy and helps with his concentration and focus in other areas.
The Woodville Runs for Fun program will resume when school starts, and the children will be preparing for the first annual Call Federal Credit Union Marathon Junior event on October 27th in Byrd Park. This event offers different distance options – a 0.5-mile, 1-mile, or 2-mile option – so both elementary and middle schoolers can participate.
Keon is looking forward to joining back up with the running club once it kicks off again in the fall because he has set his goal to “be able to run even faster.”
Grants from programs like the Saucony Run for Good Foundation as well as individual donations to Kids Run RVA will go toward basic necessities such as running shoes, socks, and athletic gear for students all over the Richmond region. That money will also give students the opportunity to participate in local running events.
Please mark your calendar for September 19-20, when the Sports Backers will be participating in The Community Foundation’s Amazing Raise giving drive. Funds donated during this 36-hour drive will help the Sports Backers implement programs similar to Woodville Runs For Run in other area Title I schools.