Students Celebrate 100 Miles of Walking

MORENO VALLEY >> William Howard Taft Elementary School held its second annual 100 Mile Club Medal Presentation to an audience of students, friends, and family who have walked 100 miles or more in the past year as part of the nationwide 100 Mile Club movement. Teachers, parents, and students from pre-kindergarten to sixth grade wore bright green t-shirts with “25 miles,” “50 miles,” “75 miles,” and “100 miles” etched on the back to signify how far they had come. Raffles with prizes donated by local businesses and city offices sent some students home with jump ropes, scooters, and bicycles, and elected city officials like Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey, city Councilmember Paul Davis, and Riverside County Supervisor Kevin Jeffries were there to cheer them all on. “It is so important to lead by example when it comes to behaviors like diet and exercise,” Bailey said at the beginning of the celebration. “In Riverside, we believe in healthy eating and active living, and that takes deliberate, intentional approach from the leaders of the family. So I want to encourage you and try to inspire you in this approach to live healthy lifestyles.” Kara Lubin, a fourth generation public school teacher, started the 100 Mile Club as a program in her classroom 24 years ago. Since then, it has spread to 1,700 different schools in all 50 states and 10 countries. The purpose of the 100 Mile Club is not only to give the students exercise, but to create happy, healthy, and connected children. Taft Elementary, which is in its second year of participating as a 100 Mile Club school, thanks to schoolteacher Marisol Stokes and her 100 Mile Club team, has set designated times over the past year for students, parents, and teachers to “clock in” their miles. “This would not be possible without our teachers, our parents, and our coaches,” Lubin said as she thanked the team at Taft. “We need people like you who get it.” At the event, 1996 Olympian Fatimat Yusuf-Olakoju placed medals around the necks of the students called up to the stage grade by grade to receive their awards for running 100 miles. One student in particular—Matthew Pearson—ran a whopping 191 miles and received a special award for being the student with the most miles. Prizes donated from around the community, like bicycles donated by Bailey and Davis, mini golf passes donated by Castle Park, and boogie boards donated by Sports Authority were raffled off to students of all grades. Riverside Unified School District Superintendent Dr. David Hansen gave his own form of support, as he was one of the non-students who reached 100 miles over the course of the year. “There’s two lessons I have learned about getting out and exercising,” Hansen said to the students. “The first one is it’s taught me how to set goals. Running 100 miles is a great goal. You do your best to go out every day until you reach that 100 miles. If you haven’t gone that 100 miles yet, that’s OK. Keep track of your goals because someday you will reach that 100 miles. The second thing I’ve learned is actually the most important. When you’re out walking or jogging, it seems like most of the time, you end up looking at the ground. You have to look up to enjoy the beauty.” At the end of the event, Stokes thanked all who had participated to make the 100 Mile Club possible, and all who participated in walking, jogging, or running over the year to meet that goal. “You all are superstars,” Stokes said. Lubin closed the event by telling the audience what an example Riverside County leads for the rest of the nation. “You are the heart of the 100 Mile Club,” Lubin said. “Riverside County is a beacon and an example that the rest of the country is looking to for how to get healthy, happy, and connected from school to home and beyond. Give yourselves a round of applause.” Full list of community donors: Councilmember Paul Davis Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce The Castro Family The Dancing Dunn Family Rebecca Brown Raceway Ford Jump Rope for Heart As Seen on TV – Riverside Galleria Swim & Water Safety by Marisol Stokes Arlington Lanes Glo Golf @ Galleria 100 Mile Club Castle Park De Matteo’s Pizza Rfit by Mrs. Ramsay Mayor Rusty Bailey East Hills Business District Maureen Kane Dr. John & Susie Kane Fitness United with Nutrition Hangar Trampoline Parks Clark’s Nutrition Tennis by Evan Parry @ Andulka Park Riverside Medical Charitable Foundation & Anti-Bullying Institute USKO Sports Authority IEHP Sky Zone Trampoline Park Village Coach Fitness