Third Annual Run, Spot, Run!
A Classroom Family Fun Run

Tolland, CT
June 3, 2000
Story and Photos by Carol Goodrow
Scroll down to read the story.

Click here for the Run, Spot, Run! Photo Page

Click here to see how we made our running numbers.
Click here to see our signs that I forgot in my classroom!

Excerpt from Brianna's Running Journal the day before Run, Spot, Run! "I jogged the whole time we were in the gym. I never got tired because I jogged the whole time. Tomorrow is Run, Spot, Run! Some of us are going to get medals, but I think we are all getting medals, probably we are. The rule for tomorrow is, "Don't start out running your fastest!" The Japanese Fan, Katie's Raffle Prize She'd had her eye on this fan for a long time. Run, Spot, Run! is my event. Perhaps it's the only event I'll ever direct, but so what. I wouldn't give Run, Spot, Run up for the world's biggest race. It's always special for me but for the kids, it'll be a memory etched in their minds perhaps forever. The first Run, Spot, Run was held two years ago, to celebrate my class completing 100 miles of cumulative running. We had designed a 100 mile make believe route. The kids tracked their miles at home that they ran with their families and when we completed the 'ultra', we had our first Run, Spot, Run! Every year we invite family members to run with us. We always have medals for the kids, a raffle and balloons. This year was special, however, because we were allowed to dress up like spotted animals AND we got our faces painted. Our running program always winds down after this event. The school year has almost come to an end, but the kids are all runners now. They will remain runners. Some are wicked fast. Sean returns every year (our only hall of famer). This year he was first across the finish line, but he knows that Run, Spot, Run! is a fun run and there is no special prize or trophy for the number one runner at this event. He'll still return again next year, and perhaps he'll time himself. Others are really patient runners. They know how to pace themselves and they just keep that comfortable running pace for the whole mile, and then there are our back of the packers who combine some running and some walking but they all finish! Every single one of them and so they are all triumphant. When they don that medal, they are deserving. It is a moment of pride. Little Sisters They ran too! Click on the thumbnail photo for a large view. The Runners It was another day of inspiration, one that should make any person want to lace up that pair of old running shoes and run right out the door.

Run, Spot, Run!

Thanks to all the parents who: brought food, made phone calls, donated raffle prizes, took photos, directed kids on the route, blew up balloons, etc. etc. etc. And thank you to Mr. Ainsworth for mapping out our course again. Oh, yes, thanks to Runner's World for sending up the great running numbers.