Kids cross country fun run slated for Saturday

Runningshoes4kids, a local nonprofit that encourages kids to lead a healthy, active lifestyle and become empowered through running, is hosting its annual fundraiser, Run 2 Summer, this Saturday. The event takes place at Hayden Canyon, 13590 N. Government Way. It is held the last weekend of June every year.

Race check-in begins at 9:30 a.m., with the first race starting at 10:30. Several heats will be held for three age categories: ages 3 to 6 run a quarter-mile, ages 7 to 10 run a half-mile and ages 11 to 14 run 1 mile. There is also a citizens 5K trail race for all ages.

Early registration has been extended to today at 5 p.m. Those who sign up early are entered into a drawing for several prizes: two tickets to Silverwood Theme Park, a pair of running shoes donated by Fleet Feet Sports, a $50 gift card to Tri-State Outfitters, a family pass to the Kroc Center or a bike helmet donated by Two Wheeler Dealer.

Other gracious sponsors are providing goodies to every participant. Super 1 Foods is giving each racer a coupon for a free ice-cream cone and Coeur d’Alene Honda is giving each a token for a free ride on the Coeur d’Alene Carousel. Each person also gets a raffle ticket to enter to win their choice among 45 pairs of running shoes. Tickets can also be purchased; four for $1.

T-shirts will be on sale at the race, and vendors like Pita Pit, Dutch Bros. and Curtis Orthodontics-Shaved Ice will be there selling food and beverages.

A fun obstacle course will be set up for kids to enjoy between races, and the always-popular face painting will be available.

Funds raised from the event are used to buy running shoes for kids in need in the area, and half of the proceeds are given directly back to schools or other nonprofits.

Nonprofits can participate as a group as a way to facilitate a fundraiser, with half of their registration costs going directly back to their own funds.

Last school year, Runningshoes4kids partnered with schools in the Lakeland district, using new pairs of running shoes as incentives for students.

“I reached out to the principal at Timberlake Jr. High where my daughter was in eighth grade and asked what the needs were at the school,” said event founder Colene Hotmer.

His answer: ‘I need no more missing assignments from students.’

So the “No Missing Assignments” incentive was born. Each week those who turned everything in were entered to win a pair of shoes, and one boy and one girl were chosen.

After the first pairs were given, Hotmer heard from a mother that her son, who had not been turning in his work, was motivated to change that and was honored to receive a pair of new shoes, as his were well worn.

Timberlake High School also rewarded students through the program, but in a different way. The principal there asked his teachers to keep an eye out and make note of students who may be struggling in general. After about a month, students were selected to receive shoes and were sent to the principal’s office.

“They didn’t know they were being watched. It wasn’t like a contest or anything” explained Hotmer. “When they were called to the office they kind of thought they were in trouble.”

But they were surprised and happy to learn that they were recipients of new shoes.

Hotmer, a mother of eight and an active organizer and coach of cross county running for area youth, hopes to encourage kids to feel empowered through running.

“Our goal is that each kid feels empowered. We teach that every step is a running step, so you don’t just quit even though something is hard. You don’t just stop and walk; you just keep on running, and when they finish that race we want them to go, ‘Wow that was really hard, but I finished it.’ That way when they are older they realize they can do hard things.”

For information or to register go to runningshoes4kids.com or call Colene Hotmer at 208-704-1772. Information can also be found on their Facebook page, Running Shoes 4 Kids.