After the postponent of the original race date on Monday, May 1 due to rain, students were able to show their stuff on Wednesday, May 3.

The one mile run, sponsored by P-H-M’s Education Foundation, is held at Penn’s Cross-country course, which is located behind Elm Road Elementary School. Post race snack donations were donated by Costco. 

This annual event encourages fitness, healthy choices and wellness. Fourth and fifth graders, from all 11 P-H-M elementary schools are encouraged to sign up for the free running club. Designated coaches at each school are then tasked with training the runners for the 6-week club which then culminates with the Running is Elementary one mile race. Approximately 640 students participated this year! The students are cheered on by their fellow students, their families, principals, teachers and running coaches; it’s amazing to see the dedication and hard work the students put in to complete the race. Visit P-H-M’s Facebook page to see a full photo gallery.

Cindy Batalis (P-H-M’s 2009 Teacher of the Year and physical education teacher at Mary Frank Elementary School) began the yearly tradition of Running Is Elementary back in 2008. Batalis’ own love for running and her desire to pass that love on to students is evident in the passion she puts into the Running is Elementary event each year. 

CONGRATULATIONS to all the students who participated! It is a tremendous accomplishment to complete a one-mile cross country course race. Below are the race results show 1^st, 2^nd, and third place winners.

Race Results:

5^th Grade Girls Winners

1. 6:56, Bib #2, Bittersweet
2. 6:57, Bib #513, Northpoint
3. 7:04, Bib #213, Horizon

School Team Rankings:

1. Northpoint
2. Bittersweet
3. Elm Road

5th Grade Boys Winners

1. 6:01, Bib #510, Northpoint
2. 6:25, Bib #536, Prairie Vista
3. 6:26, Bib #541, Prairie Vista

School Team Rankings:

1. Prairie Vista
2. Horizon
3. Northpoint

4th Grade Girls Winners

1. 7:20, Bib #42, Bittersweet
2. 7:31, Bib #381, Meadow’s Edge
3. 7:46, Bib #569, Horizon

School Team Rankings:

1. Prairie Vista
2. Horizon
3. Northpoint

4th Grade Boys Winners:

1. 6:34, Bib #553, Prairie Vista
2. 6:44, Bib #206, Horizon
3. 6:51, Bib #196, Horizon

School Team Rankings:

1. Horizon 
2. Prairie Vista
3. Northpoint

Here’s a breakdown of the schools’ shirt color: