Clarion Elementary Students Move At School With Kids Of Steel During National Run At School Day

on 2 October, 2023 at 15:45

Photos Courtesy of Clarion Area School District – Above: Hunter Confair of P3R kicks off the assembly

(By Clarion Area Cross Country Coach Keith Murtha)

Thursday, September 28th was National Run at School Day and we had a kickoff assembly at Clarion Area Elementary School. National Run at Work and Run at school day was created by the Road Runners of America to highlight movement and wellness. This is the ninth year for the annual event which occurs in late September.

In Western Pennsylvania, P3R, (Pennsylvania 3 Rivers) is the organizing and funding body which is most famous for the Pittsburgh Marathon and marathon weekend, including the Half Marathon, Relay, 5K and Kids Marathon! They also run several other themed races throughout the year including the Liberty Mile, The Steelers 5K and Clemente Charity Walk.

We had a visit from Kids of Steel, enjoyed lots of fun activities, our cross country athletes helped to run as mentors and did a great job while having a great time!

**Mentors Elena Scheftic and Cece Bowser lead students in dance party!**

Those who complete the full marathon are known as “Runners of Steel” hence those who participate in the youth program are known as “Kids of Steel” Kids of Steel is active in over 200 schools throughout Western Pennsylvania. P3R provides resources, opportunities and support to running clubs and teams through Kids of Steel and Run4Varsity to “Keep Pittsburgh Moving.”

**Mentors Hayden Weber, Jonas Wilshire and Blace Easlon engage in fire ball!**

Hunter Confair, Youth Program Manager from P3R visited the elementary school to let students know about some of the activities and how they could get involved especially with the Kids Marathon, the showcase event, which is held annually on Mother’s Day weekend.

Tip of the hat to our elementary RiverCats coaches for organizing, Molly Kirby and Chandra Scheftic as well as Clarion Area Elementary Principal, Mr. Walter and Clarion Area High School Principal, Mrs. Miller- Martini.

Our Local Kids of Steel are called “RiverCats” and are part of our USA Track & Field Running Club. They meet before school starts Tuesday and Thursday and are headed up by Mrs. Molly Kirby and Ms. Chandra Sheftic. They participate in fun activities which are also helpful to settle the body and mind before school starts. They log their activities or miles to earn rewards. The entire elementary school including teachers and staff kept moving through the morning with activities like dancing, fireball tag, free play on the playground, … black top laps and camping relays (and more).

**Mentor Alissa Brooks put students through their paces in camping relays!**

After completing all activities, students had moved more than a mile each, 350 miles combined!

For more information on local elementary run club please contact Mrs. Kirby or Ms. Scheftic. Great resources available on the Kids of Steel website even for other youth sports!

If you would like more information on P3R or to visit some of their wonderful resources, useful for many youth sports visit www.p3r.org

(Way to work, kids!!!! Thanks to Coach Murtha for his article and Clarion Area for the photos!!)