Keizer Elementary School students ran hard at the second annual “Jog-A-Thon” on Thursday, Oct. 16.
The event is the school’s biggest fundraiser of the year and challenges students to jog laps in exchange for money pledges.
Kindergarteners were the first to file out on the chilly morning. Parent volunteers were stationed around the school’s track and supporters waited eagerly with cameras.
A kindergartener stretches his legs before Keizer Elementary School’s ‘Jog-a-thon’ on Thursday, Oct. 16. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)
Teachers led students through a quick warm-up with stretching and jumping jacks. Then, someone called “go” and the students burst through a paper sign at the entrance to the track.
Laughter and clapping ensued as the kids ran. Parents shouted encouragement. Big Blue, the school’s mascot, jogged alongside the children, high fiving the runners. Older students lined the track, cheering on their younger peers.
A kindergartener warms up before Keizer Elementary School’s ‘Jog-a-thon’ on Thursday, Oct. 16. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)
At the finish line, Principal Jason Gundlach congratulated the runners, who ran laps for around 30 minutes. After the event, he said the Colts ran a total of 751 miles across all grade levels.
According to Melissa Kam, president of the school’s parent club, the funds from the event will be used to buy a digital reader that will display news updates. Some of the money will also go toward field trips and classroom supplies.
Last year, Kam said the event raised around $14,000. This year’s figure wasn’t tallied at the time of publication.
Ready, set, go! A kindergartener leads the pack through a paper sign to commence Keizer Elementary School’s ‘Jog-a-thon’ on Thursday, Oct. 16. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)Ready, set, go! A kindergartener leads the pack through a paper sign to commence Keizer Elementary School’s ‘Jog-a-thon’ on Thursday, Oct. 16. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)Kindergarteners take off around the track at Keizer Elementary School’s ‘Jog-a-thon’ on Thursday, Oct. 16. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)A teacher leads students around the track during Keizer Elementary School’s ‘Jog-a-thon’ on Thursday, Oct. 16. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)A kindergartener runs around the track during Keizer Elementary School’s ‘Jog-a-thon’ on Thursday, Oct. 16. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)Big Blue, Keizer Elementary School’s mascot, leads the school’s ‘Jog-a-thon’ on Thursday, Oct. 16. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)A kindergartener gets a high five on her way around the track during Keizer Elementary School’s ‘Jog-a-thon’ on Thursday, Oct. 16. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)Parents watch their kindergarteners lap the track at the Keizer Elementary School ‘Jog-a-thon’ on Thursday, Oct. 16. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)Keizer Elementary school students cheer on the kindergarten class as the youngsters run laps for the ‘Jog-a-thon’ on Thursday, Oct. 16. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)A parent volunteer applauded Keizer Elementary School’s kindergarteners as they run laps during the ‘Jog-a-thon’ on Thursday, Oct. 16. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)Principal Jason Gundlach high fives a runner during Keizer Elementary School’s ‘Jog-a-thon’ on Thursday, Oct. 16. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)
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