- The race, planned for May 21, will take runners and walkers through parts of Boonville, beginning and ending at the middle school
Nathan Blackford / Courier & Press The start of the Panther Fitness Trail at Boonville Middle School is under water after recent rains. The entire trail has suffered from a lack of use and maintenance in recent years.
The way organizers from Boonville Middle School see it, the Fitness is Fun 5K is a way to encourage exercise not just for one day, but all year round.
The race, planned for May 21, will take runners and walkers through parts of Boonville, beginning and ending at the middle school. And the proceeds from the event will help fund healthy initiatives at the school and at the Studio Bee community center.
"There were a group of people that work here, and we decided to get involved in a project that would better our school and improve the image of the school," said Vicki Dalton, a BMS teacher and a member of the race organizing committee. "We figured this race was something that had been dropped, but it was something that could be started up again. And we could do some community outreach with it."
A teacher at Boonville Middle School, Steve Wilson, started a project in 2000 to create a walking and running trail around the school property. Students helped in the effort, which included a small bridge and several signs. But the Panther Fitness Trail never gained much popularity, and much of it is now overgrown.
"Our original intent was just to work on the trail," said Connie King, also a BMS teacher and committee member. "But we were going to have to go out and ask for funds just to do that, or we could do some kind of fundraising activity. And so we went to Studio Bee to see if we could partner with them."
"This year, when we were looking at things that could make the school more inviting, we decided one of the things we wanted to do was to get the fitness trail back in good shape," said Dalton. "That way, the school could use it, the community could use it, and athletic teams could use it. It is just silly not to use it."
Dalton helped bring a former Boonville student, Ashley Johnson, on board. Johnson studied fitness at the University of Southern Indiana, and is also a runner. She eventually became the Fitness is Fun committee chairperson.
A local bicycle club has also gotten involved, and will help direct runners during the race. The club hopes to be able to create a dirt bike track near the fitness trail.
The money from the race will be split between the school and Studio Bee. The school will use the money for improvements to the trail, while Studio Bee will use its share for building upkeep and the implementation of programs.
Organizers are hoping to bring in about 500 runners for the May 21 race, a number they admit may be a little bit lofty.
The 5K will begin at 9 a.m., and there will also be a one-mile walk. Prizes will be given to the winners of each age group in the male and female divisions of the 5K, as well as overall male and female winners in the walk.
Immediately following the race, there will be fun runs for kids on the school track and a funfest in front of the school. Kids up to 13 can participate in the fun runs, which are free.
Registration is $15 on or before May 14. Late registration of $20 will be taken up to race day. To register online, go to www.fitnessisfun5k.com. For more information, contact fitnessisfun5k@yahoo.com.
Organizers are also still looking for more sponsors, and hope to get more community groups to set up booths at the event. Isagenix has already signed on as the title sponsor.
"We are excited about it," said King. "It is something new for our school. We are trying to get everybody involved."
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