Good Sports

by Budd Glassberg

(unpublished)

EZ2BGreen Fun Run for the Little Ones

“Youth now flees on feathered foot.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

Every weekday since coming back from spring break, fourth graders from Eagle Elementary have been using their after lunch recess to run laps around the cross-country course at their school. There is no race they will be running, nor do they concern themselves with how much time it takes to run the laps. Instead, they are preparing to improve their endurance with the goal, at this point, to run/walk 5 loops (2 ½ miles) and qualify for the Zionsville Anti-Mini Marathon (to be held on May 5). They have been working diligently at this goal, running when they can, walking when they must. Thursdays they run hills. This Sunday, April 22 at 11AM they will get a chance to qualify for the Anti-Mini at the EZ2BGreen Fun Run. They will have one hour to cover the 5 laps. Some may choose to do more in the allotted time. Students from other elementary schools are welcome to participate. There is no fee for the event.

Our cross-country course behind Eagle Elementary school begins at the basketball court, goes through the woods, down a gravel path downhill, across the bridge on the outdoor learning center, over another bridge, then up a hill and concludes with a lap around the gravel track that borders the Eagle playground.

This is my eighth year running with fourth graders in the spring. When I first began running with the students, I used to bring a large clock and hold races. Over time I have found that the emphasis on speed and competition turned many of the students away from the sport. It was after I spoke with Arthur Lydiard, legendary New Zealand Olympic running coach, that I stopped timing the children and began to put emphasis on completing distances with both running and walking. The results have proven Mr. Lydiard correct. There have been dozens of students who did not consider themselves athletes who have taken to this training. Racing benefited the natural athletes while non-competitive distance running benefited those who need the exercise most.

This year’s fourth grade students have been especially eager to participate. They have enthusiastically made it their goal to cover the 5 laps to qualify for the Anti-Mini. They are hoping to break our prior year’s record of 49 fourth grade Anti-Mini participants. I would not be surprised to see them break this record.

Following the EZ2BGreen Fun Run, Z’GreenFest will begin at Eagle Elementary school. The festival honoring Earth/Arbor Day also with no admission fee and has a lot to offer for family participation. There will be music, food, a Moon Walk and Junior Jumper, face painting, a magic show, puppet show, and many exhibits to highlight the celebration of the earth. The festival will include hybrid cars, recycling information and other exhibits to underscore how we might take care of our planet. In the spirit of Earth Day, the committee planning Z’GreenFest will be blocking off entrances to Eagle Elementary school in hopes that patrons will walk or bicycle to the event. Parking is available behind the Zionsville Town Hall with a pleasant ten minute walk to the festival for those taking their cars.

Z’GreenFest is a wonderful way for the family to enjoy a Sunday afternoon together. Bring a lounge chair or picnic blanket and plan on spending a pleasant day there. Festivities begin at 12 noon and will end at 3 PM. Better yet, bring the kids for our EZ2BGreen Fun Run at 11 AM and let them have a go at qualifying for the Anti-Mini. Then reward them afterwards with some fun at Z’GreenFest.

Budd Glassberg is a resident of Zionsville who is active in the local running community. Visit www.runz.com for reprints of all his columns. You can reach him by email at budd@runz.com.