by Pat Montain
6/24/2016

Miller students recently completed their 16-week Marathon Fitness Challenge (MFC), an incentive based run/walk program. Students were encouraged to run or walk an ultimate distance of a marathon (26.2 miles) or half marathon (13.1 miles).  This was the second annual MFC. This program was made possible by a generous grant from the Road Runners Club of America.

All students participated by running preliminary miles in their physical education classes during the winter. To complete a half or full marathon’s distance, students ran additional miles at home. Three hundred and forty eight students strived for the additional miles to complete a half or full marathon.  75 students accumulated 13.1miles to complete a half marathon. These students received a MFC tee shirt. 252 students accumulated 26.2 miles to complete a full marathon! These students received a MFC tee shirt, certificate of achievement, and a medal. Last year 75 students completed the half marathon distance and 120 students completed the complete marathon distance. The number of students who completed a marathon distance more than doubled this year!

The students not only tried to accumulate distances for themselves, but for their classroom. Each class in grades 3, 4, and 5 competed against each other by tabulating the number of miles they accumulated at home from March to the end of May. Weekly, each classroom’s miles were calculated into an average miles/student. These miles were displayed in the cafeteria hallway. A Marathon Fitness Challenge banner was designated for each grade on the walls, with each classroom represented by a photo of their teacher’s head on a cartoon running body. The more miles students ran, the farther their teacher’s photo advanced up the wall. In the end, the classrooms who accumulated the most miles/student for their grade earned the Golden Sneaker Award. Golden shoe laces were presented to each student.

Mrs. O’Rielly’s class earned the Golden Sneaker Award for the third grade.  Ms. Phipps’ class came in clos second, followed by Ms. McGee’s class.

Mrs. Shepard’s class earned the Golden Sneaker Award for the fourth grade. Mrs. Spino’s class came in a close second, followed Mrs.Zancewicz’s class.

The fifth graders accumulated the most miles compared to the other grades. The race in this grade was the most hotly contested. Over several weeks, the lead was traded between classrooms. In the end, the Golden Sneaker was won by Ms. Ryan’s class for a second consecutive year! Mrs.Vittoria’s class came in a very close second, followed hotly on their heels by Mrs. Tonelli’s class. Great job fifth graders!

Some members of Mrs. O’Rielly’s third grade Golden Sneaker award winning classroom had the following MFC reflections:

I think the Marathon Fitness Challenge was a good way to get active because most kids stay inside playing games all day rather than going outside and being active. – Shane

The Marathon Fitness Challenge made me like running more than I did before. It also made me think of a way to get my energy out. – Clara

The Marathon Fitness Challenge inspired me to try and do track in middle school. It also made me healthier and stronger. – Ava

I thought the Marathon Fitness Challenge was a fun way to have people walk or run. I also thought it was really cool to know I ran the length of the whole Boston Marathon. -- Chloe

Some members of Ms. Ryan’s fifth grade Golden Sneaker award winning classroom had the following MFC reflections:

The Marathon Fitness Challenge encourages students to get their daily workout, which leads us to a healthier, fitter life. --- Ania

I liked how the Marathon Fitness Challenge was organized. It was very easy logging in the miles. -- Owen

I thought it was fun to compete against other classes while running and walking. It was a good way to get people motivated to get active and stop being lazy. The Marathon Fitness Challenge was awesome. – Harry

The Marathon Fitness Challenge was a life changing experience. Every single week I tried to get my miles in. It was fun and epic and I will never forget it. -- Colleen

The MFC would not have been successful without support from the following:

• The Road Runners Club of America generous grant. Wendy Krauss for organizing this event.
• Winnie Carey for designing the mileage log sheets and managing the mileage data.
• Mr. McDonald and Mr. Kiley for kicking off the MFC in the early months and included running opportunities during the Physical Education class time.
• Mrs. Brenda Maurao for providing administrative support throughout the entire event.
• Thomas Scaringella, a former proud Miller student, and Heather Scaringella for securing the grant from the Road Runners Club of America. Thomas designed, created and donated the MFC challenge banners for each classroom.  These banners hung in the cafeteria hallway.  Heather Scaringella assisted with data analysis.
• Family and friends for encouraging Miller student athletes to be physically active and complete their miles at home.

Planning for next year’s MFC is already underway. Improvements to be considered for next year include modifications to the mileage logs and awards. Perhaps next year there will be more miles accumulated and even closer races between classes! Until then, happy running/walking!

Mrs. Krauss and Mrs. Montain announcing classroom Golden Sneaker award winners

Mrs. O'Rielly accepts the Golden Sneaker award for her third grade class.

Mrs. Shepard accepting the Golden Sneaker award for her fourth grade class.

Ms. Ryan accepting the Golden Sneaker award for her fifth grade class.

Mrs. Shepard's fourth grade class and their Golden Sneaker award.

Ms. Ryan's fifth grade class and their Golden Sneaker award.