Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 13, 1994 TAG: 9412150005
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N21 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CRYSTAL CHAPPELL STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Practicing after school, designing T-shirts and rounding up runners, the students have already reaped rewards of preparing for the eighth annual Bank of Fincastle 5K and 10K Runs which begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at Botetourt Intermediate School.
Since the beginning of the year the students have improved their physical conditions, learned discipline and acquired determination, Bank of Fincastle President John Kilby said.
By embracing students and providing a challenging course for adults, the race has become a multifaceted, positive outlet for children, said Richard Pauley, race director.
Proceeds from the race, which has a loyal following of elementary students, provides $500 scholarships to college-bound high school seniors and feed into local school running programs. Saturday's expected 600 runners will range in age from 4 to 75. About half will be elementary students, Pauley said.
The race provides positive reinforcement for children, who are encouraged to do things but not given the opportunity to do them, Pauley said. Each person receives an award for finishing the race.
"Somebody hands them a ribbon that says 'Finisher,' and they're so proud. You just see that little spark in some of their eyes, and they want to do it again," Pauley said.
Pauley said the race has encouraged people of all ages to continue running. The Lord Botetourt High School cross country team formed in 1990 as an offshoot of the race.
The race lets children see their dentists and administrators run with them and "that's positive," Pauley said.
Though most adults support the student participation, some have stayed away because of the children, organizers said.
Lori Sibley, a fifth-grade Colonial Elementary School teacher, said she hopes serious runners are not deterred from the race, which is one of the toughest in the Roanoke area, she said. For safety precautions, the elementary students will start behind the adults this year.
World-class runners Steve and Lori Taylor, who coach cross country at Virginia Tech, gave a free running clinic Wednesday at Lord Botetourt High School and visited elementary schools for the race.
"They [the students] are the future. If we're not willing to do it for them, we're dinosaurs," Pauley said.
by CNB