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Hundreds of local students hit the ground running at Primary Fun Run

'It’s just a fun way to learn how to exercise and get a new skill in their life,' says organizer

The Simcoe County Elementary Athletic Council welcomed approximately 500 students from across Simcoe County District School Board today for the Primary Fun Run at the Education Centre in Midhurst, north of Barrie.

Friday's event saw students from grades one through three run through a course on the school board grounds, which included an open area where their parents could watch, along with a forested pathway.

Melody Northrop, chair of the county’s athletic council, was on hand to help organize and herd the young students into place at the event.

“The kids are here and they are enthusiastic. They all participate and get a ribbon at the end, and a snack,” she said. “It’s just a fun way to learn how to exercise and get a new skill in their life.”

Charles Foster, a Grade 1 student at Steele Street Public School in Barrie, won his race by a wide margin. An athlete of few words, he told BarrieToday he was happy with his result and claiming a ribbon for his effort.

Stella Jarvis, a Grade 1 competitor from W.R. Best Memorial Public School in Shanty Bay, said she likes running and “getting to win sometimes."

Her classmate, Aria Grewal, says the highlight of her morning was running in the same race as her pal, Stella.



About the Author: Kevin Lamb

Kevin Lamb picked up a camera in 2000 and by 2005 was freelancing for the Barrie Examiner newspaper until its closure in 2017. He is an award-winning photojournalist, with his work having been seen in many news outlets across Canada and internationally
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