Bristow Run Elementary School in Bristow will hold its second annual “Panther Pride 5K” and first annual one mile “Global Tech Trot” on Nov. 16 at 8 a.m. at 8990 Worthington Drive in Bristow to raise money to bolster their global education initiative and upgrade their technology.
“We always have had a target of what our money is being used for,” said Assistant Principal Scott Baldwin, who organized the event. “We want to increase global awareness, and we want to give our teachers the resources, and we want to keep up with technology.”
Last year, holding the Panther Pride 5K helped Bristow Run Elementary launch their new Global Initiative, a pilot program for county elementary schools. Baldwin said that they were able to create their global garden and buy new teacher resources to make that program a reality.
New resources are still needed to keep building the program, and Baldwin said that money is also needed to upgrade existing technology.
“We’re looking at upgrading our RAM to get our computers running faster,” Baldwin said, which takes priority, even though he would ultimately like to purchase tablets for the school community.
To help in this fundraiser, Baldwin is inviting community members, businesses and running enthusiasts from all over the region to support the effort.
The first thing people can do to support the effort is sign up to run. The run is family friendly, and everyone from marathon runners to casual walkers are encouraged to participate. Signing up to run is $20 until Oct. 15 and then $25 afterwards online. Runners all get a T-shirt, goody bag and race information. Winners in various age/gender groups may receive medals as well.
Runners can also sign up on the day of the race if they arrive between 6-7:45 a.m. at the school. Those who signed up in advance will need to pick up their packets on Nov. 15 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Bristow Run Elementary, or stand in line before the race the next morning before 7:45 a.m. For those who pick up their packets early, there will be a free pasta dinner at the school.
Baldwin encourages adults to participate in order to model the kinds of behavior they want their children to exhibit, saying it is a great lesson for the Bristow Run children to see people of all ages participating in physical activity. He believes that children who spend time staying physically active while having fun in the process, will be happier, have more energy and even perform better in school.
“I think it goes back to the health and wellness thing. There is a lot of research which links students’ activity levels with their learning. I’m a runner myself, and if I don’t run, and if I’m not active, then I get stuck in a rut, and I think it’s the same for everyone else,” Baldwin said.
To make the day fun for everyone, the event will also include a D.J. to get everyone’s blood pumping, a Zumba demonstration and some local health-conscious vendors.
Baldwin is also asking businesses to sponsor the event as well. Sponsorships range from $400 down and up. The premier sponsorship buys the company logo on the T-shirts, Facebook, website, flyers and a vendor table. Other nominations also come with some of the above advertising opportunities. Those interested in advertising should contact Amy Hodges at amy_hodges@comcast.net.
Baldwin said the T-shirts are probably the best advertisement, since hundreds are given out and people wear them frequently while running around the local area, but runners will also be able to interact with business representatives on the day of the event.
Because there are other elementary school fall runs in the area, Baldwin is encouraging Bristow Run runners also participate in the Harvest Howl 5K and Wolf Pup Fun Run at T. Clay Wood Elementary School on Oct. 12. In future years, he hopes to provide a discount to runners in various Prince William County Schools' 5Ks and fun runs, so that runners will consider registering for multiple runs, rather than picking and choosing.
This year, Bristow Elementary School teachers will receive a $5 discount as will families in which three or more members are registering.
The route starts off on Worthington Drive, and roads along Worthington, Linton Hall and Braided Stream will be closed off on one side from 7-10:30 a.m. on Nov. 16. [To see full route, click here.]
The race is being organized by D.C. Road Runners and runners can also register directly on their website, or first find out more information here.
Baldwin thanked all the parent volunteers, especial Amy Hodges, Amie Francis, Amy Hutcherson and Mary Davidson from the Running Store in Gainesville at Atlas Walk.
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