Holman Middle School students in the Read, Right and Run
program face a lot more running this year. Instead of running
a regular 26.2-mile marathon, they'll be doing an "ultra-marathon"
of 50 miles.
But, the Holman kids aren't worried. After all, the RRR
runners spread that mileage over 26 weeks. So, last year,
they ran one mile a week and, this year, they'll be doing
two.
Alexa
Jones |
Eighth grader Alexa Jones has been participating in Read,
Right and Run for all three years she's been at Holman Middle.
She said she completed all requirements the last two years.
And, she's looking forward to the 2006-2007 schedule, even
with the extra running.
Under RRR, kids agree to read a book, do a good deed and
complete their running each week. This year, the St. Louis
Marathon sponsors decided older kids should run more.
In previous years, all kids did a mile a week for 26 weeks,
whether they were in kindergarten or 8th grade. This year,
elementary kids will continue at the mile-a-week pace and
6th, 7th and 8th graders will do two miles.
All the kids who complete the program will participate
in a Fitness Weekend in Forest Park next April. That is
the same weekend that the St. Louis Marathon holds its adult
races and kids also get to mingle with serious runners.
On April 14, 2007, elementary kids will run 1.2 miles while
the middle schoolers will finish with a 5K (3.1 mile) run.
Teacher Stephanie McCreary at Holman Middle schedules weekly
after-school sessions on Tuesdays to help her kids meet
the goals in reading, good deeds and running.
Fourteen-year-old Alexa said she plans to do about half
of her 2-miles-per-week running on Tuesdays. The other mile
will be done on a treadmill that she's got at home.
She said the treadmill was purchased for her older sister.
"But, she didn't use it. I'm the only one who uses it now.
I like to run," she said.
Alexa also enjoys the other aspects of the RRR program.
And, this year, she'll get double-credit for her good deeds.
"As an 8th grader, I have to do 15 hours of community service
work and that also counts in RRR," she said.
"I plan to work at The Magic House, in nursing homes and
at libraries," she said.
She said she hasn't started her reading for this year's
program.
Marc
Prather |
Twelve-year-old Marc Prather is a 7th grader at Holman.
He's in his second year in the RRR program. He said he really
enjoyed last year's Fitness Weekend in Forest Park.
Marc said he'll do part of his running at the Tuesday sessions.
He also gets credit for running during intramural sports
at the school. For the rest of the running, he said, "I'll
run around the block near my home."
Last year, Marc said much of his reading requirement was
met by reading "Eragon." The big fantasy book was written
by a young author from Montana, Christopher Paolini.
(If you're interested, you can read a feature on the author
and a review of his book by clicking in Past
Stories on the home page and go to December,
2003.)
Marc's planning to read a variety of books this year.
To meet the book-a-week requirement, kids have to read at
least 40 pages a week.
Marc said his good-deed work is mostly at his church. But,
he also volunteers to pass out uniforms before performances
by the local high school band.
About RRR, he said, "The good deeds make me feel good,
the running keeps me in shape and the reading helps me keep
up in school."
Casey
Dial |
Thirteen-year-old Casey Dial is also in her second year
of RRR. She said she'll do some of her running at school
and some in her neighborhood with a friend. "I like to run
on Sunday because it's an easy-going day," she said.
Casey is planning to read longer books this year. She's
picked "Ender's Game," a sci-fi book; "A Break with Charity,"
about the Salem witches, and the fantasy book, "Narnia."
Her good deeds will include work at Rose Acres Elementary
as well as at the pre-school at the nearby Pattonville District
offices.
Sharron
Murff |
Twelve-year-old Sharron Murff is in her second year of
RRR. She said the Fitness Weekend after last year's program
was "real fun."
She also is going for longer books this year. She's already
starting to read "The Road to Memphis." Her good deeds involve
baby-sitting for cousins and friends, as well as her little
brother and sister.
She said she likes RRR because she makes new friends and
enjoys the activities. "It also helps me build responsibility
because I have to keep records on what I do," she said.
(If interested, visit www.stlouismarathon.com
and click on Read, Right and Run.)
