Run for 271 raises more than $24K for elementary schools

COEUR d'ALENE — About $24,300 was raised for the Coeur d'Alene School District's 10 elementary schools during the sixth annual Run for 271 on June 3 at McEuen Park.

More than 740 students and adults raced, walked, climbed and jumped in the event.

Registration fees were donated to the participants' school of choice. There were also raffles to help raise funds.

The amounts that the schools raised ranged from nearly $1,700 to more than $4,000.

In the past the funds helped support PE programs, but this year director Elaina Matthews left it up to the schools.

"I spoke with principals and found that the needs vary greatly from school to school," Matthews said. "So this year we are supporting these schools and their students right where they need it the most."

While some schools will continue to use the funds to enrich PE programs, other will use it for K-3 classroom libraries, crisis counseling, art enrichment and extracurricular programs like Math is Cool and cross country.

This event has grown every year since its conception in 2011 when it started as a small fun run at Ramsey Elementary.

This year's event raised $6,500 more than in 2016. It included a 5-kilometer fun run/walk, a kids obstacle course run, $9,000 in raffle prizes, food trucks, vendors, a photo booth, Mudgy and Millie, face painting and bounce houses.

Originally, the main goal of the Run for 271 event was to get kids moving. Matthews said exercise should be fun and include the whole family.

"We wanted to provide an awesome experience for kids and their parents that would promote fun and fitness while raising money for our community schools," she said.

Next year's event will be June 2 at McEuen Park. For more information, visit www.RunFor271.org.