Students warm up before the Yadkin County Go Far 5K.
Samantha Fowler high fives a runner for finishing the one mile fun run.
Runners take off from the start line at the Yadkin County Go Far 5K.
A YMCA volunteer hands off a cup of water to a student running the Yadkin County Go Far 5K. The program is designed to get students outside and active.
Students cross the finish line at the Yadkin Go Far 5K. Students were rewarded with medals upon completing the 5K course.
Nearly 300 Yadkin County students and community members gathered together in the name of fitness to brave the icy cold temperatures and complete a 5K on the streets of Yadkinville.
The third annual Go Far 5K took place on Nov. 17 at Yadkin Valley Community Hospital.
The Go Far 5K is a joint effort between the Yadkin County Health Department, Yadkin County Schools and the Yadkin Family YMCA.
“Go Far has a programmed curriculum put together and we take it to the schools and partner with them,” said Samantha Fowler, Yadkin YMCA Health Enhancement Director. “Our elementary schools have worked with the kids and trained them to get them physically fit and able to run a 5K and then the kids get to come out and do it. We open it up to the community as well but it’s really all about the kids and getting them active and having a lot of fun with it”
Fowler said that most of the schools incorporate the Go Far program into their physical education classes while others have after school programs that work with the children to train them for the race.
Fall Creek Elementary, Courtney Elementary, Forbush Elementary, Jonesville Elementary, East Bend and Boonville Elementary Schools participated in this year’s run.
Fowler said that she hopes to have Yadkinville and West Yadkin Elementary Schools involved as well as Forbush and Starmount Middle schools.
“We want to continue to grow the race,” Fowler said. “With races like this the more the merrier. It’s good to get the community active.”
The 5K course took runners around the hospital to several side streets surrounding West Main Street. Fowler said the route that is used is a scenic view for runners.
A one mile fun run was held for younger runners and their family before the start of the 5K. When the time came for the 5K runners to line up the start line was filled with nearly 300 runners of all ages eager for the buzzer to sound so they could go after their goal of completing a 5K.
As each child crossed the finish line they were awarded a medal acknowledging their completion and milestone.
Forbush Elementary fourth grader Gracie Miller turned her experience into a family affair. Her father Kevin and two sisters Chelsie and Sydney joined the race to support her.
“I have fun hanging out with my friends and I just like to get out and play because it’s fun and it’s something to do,” said Gracie. “I have never run a 5K before but I had fun. It was really hard to run up the hills. I’m not sure yet if I want to run another race.”
Fowler said that she felt the event was a success as long as all of the kids had fun and were able to achieve their goals.
“The kids enjoy it,” Fowler said. “They have a lot of fun and they have that wonderful sense of accomplishment. To see the smiles on their faces and to see them showing off their medals and being proud of themselves for finishing the race made it so worthwhile.”
Reach Lindsay Craven at 679-2341 or at lcraven@heartlandpublications.com.
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