Really, it was a fun run
<p>Jaxon Anderson, a Mullan Trail Elementary student and the top finisher in the first grade boys race, makes his way down a hill at Post Falls High School.</p>
<p>Cole Cooper, a first grader from Prairie View Elementary, looks back at the other competitors on the field before the start of his half-mile race Tuesday during the Post Falls District Cross Country Meet.</p>
POST FALLS - It's the perfect combination.
Kids getting exercise and showing school spirit; parents and coaches beaming proud.
All at an all-volunteer event on a sun-soaked, crisp fall afternoon.
About 800 cross country runners from Post Falls' five elementary schools participated in the districtwide meet at Post Falls High on Tuesday.
"It's about staying active, being yourself and having fun," said Ali Wolf, a Prairie View fifth-grader.
The meet was the culmination of a six-week program - in its eighth year - that featured two practices a week and a dual meet for each school.
The students - many running with rosy cheeks and wide grins - were cheered on by hundreds of parents and family members who lined the course. First- through third-graders ran a half mile, while fourth- and fifth-graders ran a mile.
"It kind of scares me because you run so close to people. You feel squished sometimes because everyone gathers around you," said Prairie View fifth-grader Shawntea Shaw. "But I tried to find my friends and run with them.
"I like doing it because you get healthy. A mile is easy for me because I'm one of those fast runners."
Courtney Curtis, a first-grade coach at Mullan Trail, said the event brings the entire school district together.
"You're so proud of your school, and it's nice to get together with the others," Curtis said. "And the only reason it happens is people go out of their way to volunteer for it."
Ponderosa first-grader Alison Lehman was all smiles with her second-place medal around her neck.
"I just did my best," she said.
Alison's mom, Christy, added: "I think this is great exercise for the kids, and she's very competitive."
Mullan Trail third-grader Jacob Ferguson said he enjoys the team atmosphere of the meet and the challenge of running a "whole mile."
"I like hard stuff," he said of the run. "And I like going against other schools."
Organizer Sue Lauer said the program has grown steadily and the turnout was about 150 more than last year.
Every participant received a T-shirt - each school had a different color - donated by the Ironman Community Fund and chocolate milk from the United Dairymen of Idaho at the finish.
"It's good fun in the name of health," Lauer said.