Ahead of Saturday’s 5k, 11 boys from Barranca Mesa Elementary School gathered with Hilltopper cross country runners who participated and supported the boys throughout the entire event. Courtesy photo
Following Saturday’s 5k, the boys wear their medals and proudly show their time cards. Courtesy photo
SPORTS News:
Eleven Barranca Mesa Elementary School boys in grades 3-6 ran their end-of-season Let Me Run 5k Saturday morning at the scenic Canyon Rim Trail.
Eddie Artnak, Alex Cardenas, Jace Ellison, Marlow Ellison, Levi Hornsby, Waylon Islas, Greyson Lowe, Gregory Maginot, Korbin Parton, Ronan Parton, and Wesley Temkin were all part of the first Let Me Run boys running group at Barranca Mesa Elementary School, which practiced twice a week for seven weeks.
The Let Me Run boys trained hard all season by participating in different dynamic stretches, runs, good form and finishing techniques. The boys surpassed their 5k goal times and had a blast doing it, even getting to run with Hilltopper Cross Country runners!
It was the best thing to hear, “I can’t wait for our 5k Coach Parton!” in the weeks leading up to the run. Let Me Run trained volunteer coaches, Megan Parton, Anne Slowik, and Kris Pantanilla are so proud of the strides each boy made this season!
Let Me Run is a nonprofit wellness program that inspires boys to be themselves, be active, and belong. With a comprehensive curriculum that applies the power of running, we encourage boys to develop their psychological, emotional, and social health, in addition to their physical health. Trained volunteer coaches lead a team through practice designed to amplify confidence, self-expression, and respect for others; each practice includes a lesson from the Let Me Run curriculum.
“It is my goal to facilitate bringing Let Me Run to all the elementary schools* in Los Alamos,” Coach Megan Parton said. “It takes a raised hand, a volunteer who is willing and able to give our boys a fabulous experience and bring out the goodness that already exists in these boys.”
For more information about LET ME RUN, visit letmerun.org.
“I can’t wait for next fall’s Let Me Run season!” exclaimed Levi Hornsby, 3rd-grade Let Me Run boy.
Parents interested in bringing the Let Me Run program to their boy’s school should reach out to Coach Megan Parton at m.parton@laschools.net.