Springing Forward with Kids Run RVA

This blog is by our Kids Run RVA intern, Bridget Stacy

This spring has brought lots of energy to Kids Run RVA! Across central Virginia, approximately 60 run and fitness clubs throughout elementary, middle, and high schools have been getting our youth active in a big way! Shout out to the coaches that have motivated hundreds of students to get up and get active!  

Lots of celebrations were to be had at the Atlantic Union Bank 10k Mini on Saturday, April 22nd. There was a buzz of energy and excitement as hundreds of kids toed the line to show off their hard work. The smiling faces and proud parents showed Kids Run RVA that all of the effort is totally worth it!  

Some top highlights from the race:

• One 7-year-old said she was running the 10k Mini 1-mile race and the 10k because she is 7. Can’t wait to see how long that streak lasts! 100 miles at 100 years old? Why not!
• Elizabeth Davis middle schooler Maddox Byrd joined the Sub 40 club, clocking a time of 39:50! The rest of his run club showed impressive times as well. Watch out for these kids in the future!
• After the Huguenot High School run club completed a 5k and the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k this season, one athlete stated, “So a 15k is nine miles?” Now that is an impressive attitude!
• Bellevue Elementary coach, Anna Moeser, set quite an example for her runners. After completing the 10k Mini with her team, she went on to complete her third Ukrops Monument Avneue 10k. Nice work coach!
  

  This run club participant and student at Davis ran a sub 40 minute 10k!

Although the results of a race are the evidence of the physical work of the athletes and coaches, what cannot be seen directly is the transformation of character that is playing out in our youth clubs. These clubs are about so much more than fitness, whether the athletes realize it or not. Our athletes are gaining more valuable skills than just putting one foot in front of the other. They are learning how to be a part of a team, supporting their peers. They are learning how to commit to a task and see it through with self-discipline. They are learning that they are part of something bigger, a part of a community with a common goal. They are learning that they can do hard things!  

Of course, none of this could be possible without the support of our community! Many thanks to the fundraisers who have contributed to our success this year. The donations have provided resources for our coaches that help them establish and maintain a fun and safe environment in which our youth can work on their physical endurance. The donations are also used for race entries, transportation, team t-shirts, and even new running shoes for those who need them.

A special shout out to our four Ragnar teams who raised over $12,000 to support Kids Run RVA. Thirty-two amazing humans joined forces in a two day relay of non-stop running on the trails of Pocahontas State Park. On top of the money raised, their willingness to take on such an extreme physical challenge was quite a way to show support to our youth. 24-hours and 120 miles of aches, pains, little sleep, storytelling, and laughter equals a bond that can’t be explained. We are so grateful and proud of our teams!  

With the season wrapping up, we are already looking forward to the next year of fun and fitness!