Trinity East Elementary, PTA to host 5K fundraiser
Julia Umshares, 9, daughter of Todd and Brenda Umshares of Washington, jumps high with her jump rope during practice for Trinity East Elementary’s 5K run in May.
Julie Amsdell, director of marketing for Fleet Foot, runs with Jacob Jahn, son of Jaclyn and Gabe Jahn of Washington, during practice for the Trinity East Elementary 5 K run in May.
Julie Amsdell, director of marketing for Fleet Foot, leads third-grade students in high knee drills during practice for Trinity East Elementary’s 5K run in May.
Julie Amsdell, director of marketing for Fleet Foot, leads third-grade students in running while using a jump rope to get in shape for Trinity East Elementary’s 5K run in May.
The first-graders at Trinity East Elementary School sprinted the length of the gymnasium floor, arms pumping and knees high, as gym teacher Nathan Parry and Julie Amsdell, director of marketing for Fleet Feet Sports in Pittsburgh, ran alongside.
The children followed with butt kicks (“Throw your heel back until you’re literally kicking your butt,” Amsdell said encouragingly) and striders as Parry and Amsdell doled out advice to improve their running mechanics and form.
They were working up a sweat, but the kids were having fun.
The instruction is part of the students’ preparation for a 5K race and a 1-mile fun run sponsored by the Trinity East PTA on May 9 at South Strabane Park on Floral Hill Drive.
Leading up to the race, Fleet Feet Sport of Pittsburgh and Washington Health Care System’s Cameron Wellness Center are hosting run clinics during the students’ gym classes in March.
The money raised from the 5K will be used for elementary school programs such as a Carnegie Science Center program at the school.
Parry likes the idea of the 5K and said the race has long-term implications that can benefit Trinity’s students.
“One of the big ideas at Trinity and in physical education across the country is focusing on lifetime physical activity. What we’re hoping is for it to give the kids something that they can experience and that they can do for the rest of their lives, such as competing in 5Ks and other races. That’s something they can do well into their later years,” said Parry. “The fact that we’re having a 5K is giving them the opportunity to experience something that could be a lifetime physical activity. We want to provide them with as many opportunities for finding something they can enjoy for the rest of their lives. Lifetime physical activity is the key.”
The 5K race course will be a 3.1-mile loop starting and ending at South Strabane park. The 1-mile kid’s race will wind around the walking trail at the park.
The run clinics and the race are a collaborative effort among the PTA, principal Jack Minnick, Parry, Fleet Feet, the Wellness Center and several Washington businesses who are sponsoring the race.
“We wanted to have a fundraiser that revolved around fitness to get the kids excited about exercising and getting in shape,” said PTA member Carrie Jones, one of the race organizers. “Our goal of the 5K, aside from raising money for school programs, is to create a wellness and fitness campaign that the kids can share with their families, as well as carry with them every day.”
The PTA and Parry are hoping for a large turnout.
“The most positive part of this experience for the kids is that they’re going to be with their friends, teachers, parents and people from organizations like Fleet Feet and Cameron Wellness. Whenever they show up and see their phys ed teacher and principal running with them, that’s going to be exciting,” Parry said. “It’s a community effort, which is great. The kids are really enjoying this. They’re having a blast.”
For information on sponsoring the race or for race registration, please visit www.trinityeastpta.org. To register for the race online, visit www.runsignup.com. Cost of the race is $15 for children 18 years old and younger before April 10 and $17 after the 10th; and $25 for adults before April 10 and $27 after the 10th.