Coeur d'Alene elementary schoolers run like the wind at annual cross-country meet
Fifth grader Cormack Donovan puts a hand to his chest as he crosses the finish line, earning himself second place for this year in the Coeur d'Alene cross country meet.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
Fifth grade girls take off from the starting line at the Coeur d'Alene elementary cross-country meet. The event took place Thursday at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
Parents take photos and video of their fifth graders racing at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. The event has been going on for 37 years and about 750 kids now participate in the Coeur d'Alene elementary cross-country meet.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
Boys take off from the starting line at the Coeur d'Alene elementary cross-country meet Thursday.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
Students from Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts and Humanities sing the national anthem before the Coeur d'Alene elementary cross-country meet Thursday at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
COEUR d’ALENE — The instructions were straightforward.
“Tie your shoes, get your name tag and get yourself up to the starting line,” a voice boomed to the cohorts of elementary school students participating in the annual Coeur d’Alene cross-country meet.
Fourth-grader Cooper Corbeill's small smile said it all as he stood with his family after running his race.
“He’s the three-time defending champion,” his father, Ryan Corbeill, said. “He’s a man of few words.”
Cooper, of Hayden Meadows Elementary School, summed up his favorite thing about racing in one word: "winning.”
About 750 students participated in the meet at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds on Thursday, one of whom was fourth grader Noel Clark.
With a new silver medal hanging from her neck, the Dalton Elementary student was proud of her placement and surprised herself.
“I love running, it’s so fun,” Noel said.
Bryan Elementary running coach Heather Montee said that in the 30 years she’s helped with the event, she’s always excited when kids are inspired to run.
“It’s fun to see the kids come back when they’re still running in high school,” Montee said.
The milelong race has been going on for 37 years and has endured because it can have an impact on what a student believes their limits to be.
“It’s trying to encourage kids to get out and exercise on their own and that there’s no equipment needed to do their best and feel good,” Montee said.
By pushing themselves, they also push others to achieve more.
It's not about winning.
“I just had to tell a girl who won fourth grade last year, it’s no pressure, you just do your best and have fun,” Montee said.
Fifth grade girls take off from the starting line at the Coeur d'Alene elementary cross-country meet. The event took place Thursday at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.
Parents take photos and video of their fifth graders racing at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. The event has been going on for 37 years and about 750 kids now participate in the Coeur d'Alene elementary cross-country meet.
Boys take off from the starting line at the Coeur d'Alene elementary cross-country meet Thursday.
Students from Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts and Humanities sing the national anthem before the Coeur d'Alene elementary cross-country meet Thursday at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.