After eight months of training, about 160 Edmonton elementary students are hoping to complete a five-kilometre race around Rundle Park on Saturday.
The children are part of the Kids in Action program run by the Hope Mission’s Tegler Youth Centre.
Annette Spencer-Jensen, 9, has been training every week after school for the big day.
“What I like about it is we’re getting our muscles moving,” she said. “We’re getting exercise.”
The children come from seven schools in northeast Edmonton. Tegler Youth Centre manager Matthew Cairns says the program offers extra support and guidance to students.
“Setting that goal and and working hard to reach that goal just has a huge impact on kids and their growth and the positive things that come out of them,” he said.
Forty Edmonton police officers are among the volunteers who will run with each child on Saturday.
Const. Joseph Elias, a beat officer in the Beverly neighbourhood, said the program gives children a safe place to be active and stay out of trouble.
“This is a chance for us to have a fun day with the kids and have a positive influence on them,” he said.
Each child sets a personal goal for the race. Elias said some want to run as fast as they can. Others are content to complete the distance.
Christopher Ramirez, 10., said it will feel great to finish after the months of training. He plans to have fun.
“Just run my hardest and have a smile on my face.”
