“Are You Faster than a Fifth-Grader,” a two-mile race or a one-mile walk, will start Friday, April 27, at Kansas City Kansas Community College Field House, 7250 State Ave., and Eisenhower Middle School, 2901 N. 72nd St.
The race will end at Washington High School stadium, 7340 Leavenworth Road.
One of the objectives of the race is to increase physical activity, as active learners are believed to do better in the classroom.
Students, district administrators and staff, community leaders and patrons will participate in the race.
Teams made up of 15 fifth-graders from all 30 of the district’s elementary school will participate in the race. Other fifth-graders will participate in a one-mile walk to precede the race at 10 a.m., beginning at Eisenhower Middle School and ending at the Washington High School stadium.
The two-mile run will begin at 10:30 a.m. April 27 at KCKCC Field House and will end at Washington High School stadium.
“This event has become a tradition that many students anticipate in when they approach their 5th grade year,” Stephanie Dickson, the physical education teacher leader, said in a news release. “Some kids have been running all summer to get in shape for the race. And the added element of the one-mile walk gets every student involved and sends the message that physical fitness is important.”
Superintendent Cynthia Lane launched the event in 2012 as a way to promote physical fitness to students and to encourage overall wellness. Dr. Lane is also a participant in the race. The first 15 students to cross the finish line in the race will receive medals and will have their photo taken with the superintendent.