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MES students training to be fit

Sports reporter

As soon as school ends they lace up their tennis shoes, do some stretching, and take off running as much as two miles.

Nothing unusual for the Marion High School track and field team.

However, it's a group of kindergarten through sixth graders at Marion Elementary School who are doing the same.

Every Monday and Wednesday after school MES gym teacher Charlotte Waner, along with volunteer parents and teachers, has different groups of five-through 12- year-olds who walk or jog two miles across town.

They began participating March 3 and the program will run until May 7.

They call themselves the Running Warriors.

"We're trying to promote healthy living," Waner said. "We are always looking for something our kids can do."

So, Charlotte Waner, along with MES nurse Janice Waner, pitched the idea to principal Rod Garman.

"We've been talking all along about doing some after school exercise," Garman said. "I was very supportive of it. They just took it and ran with it."

So, when it all began, Charlotte thought maybe 25-30 people would participate.

It ended up being 85.

Students from Florence are part of that number on Mondays when a bus is provided to take them home.

"At first we were stressed out with the high turnout," Charlotte said.

There were safety concerns with that many participating, but with the help of parents and teachers who lead smaller groups of six to eight students, it has turned out fine.

"It's exciting to me," Charlotte said. "I am really appreciative of everyone who has come out to help."

Having fun

Since the students participating range from ages five to 12, there is obviously a difference in the way each child participates.

Some groups walk fast, others jog, and there is a group that walks called, "The Snails."

"At least they are getting some exercise," Charlotte Waner said.

And that is the point of the entire project.

It's not to see who is the fastest, or who can last the longest, but instead promote that it's better than going home everyday and sitting on the couch.

Garman wants to incorporate swimming in the new pool next year, or re-starting the jump rope team Charlotte used to have, along with the running.

He too, wants to stress that children need exercise.

"I'm positive we'll continue some physical activity [next year]," Garman said. "I just hope it grows in the future."

For Charlotte and Janice Waner it already has grown into something they are proud of.

Janice secured each child a stopwatch through a coordinated school health grant, and is pleased with the program so far.

"Initially we weren't expecting 80 kids," she said. "But it's really worked out because we have people come and help."

Along with the stopwatches, the grant helped the school get a new Dance, Dance, Revolution (DDR) game which helps promote exercise as well.

Overall, everyone involved is pleased with how the program is going, and how well the students are enjoying themselves.

"They're showing up and having fun," Janice Waner said of the elementary students. "It's phenomenal."

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