Hillsboro running club to form
Staff writer
There is a new club forming in town. It's called the Hillsboro Running Club.
In conjunction with the Hillsboro Recreation Commission, Hillsboro High School social studies teacher Stuart Holmes will head the new running club.
"I was excited when Stuart Holmes approached me and asked if we at the Rec Commission would help sponsor such a program," HRC director Matt Dalke said.
Holmes also serves as HHS cross country coach and assistant track coach.
With a background in running since high school and college, Holmes' purpose in starting a running club in Hillsboro is "to help young people develop self-confidence and self discipline within the structure of a fun, positive running club that emphasizes lifetime fitness."
In 1979, Holmes was a three-event state qualifier in the 100, 200, 400 running events at Southwestern High School in western Kansas. He also was a college track athlete and has coached track on all levels,
With 20 years as an educator and having been involved in running for much of his life, Holmes hopes to inspire young people. He wants to especially target those students who do not participate in high school and middle school sports and challenge them to try the running club.
The program will consist of fun games, light work outs, and individual instruction for those wanting to compete in various running events.
The club will offer three seasons — spring, summer, and fall. The spring season will begin March 29 and will go through May 29. The club is for students in grades two through six.
Holmes said that part of the summer season will help young people prepare for events such as the River Run in Wichita, the Hershey's Track and Field meet, and the Family Festival Run in Hillsboro.
Holmes stresses that the club does not force kids to compete — they simply have the freedom to choose to compete or just run for the fun and health of it.
The summer session will include grades two through 12 and will begin in June and end in July.
The fall session will include grades two through eight and begins in mid-August and ends late October.
Cost of joining the club is $10, and participants will receive a T-shirt.
Holmes is the sole volunteer right now but is asking for those who enjoy working with kids to help supervise.
"They (volunteers) don't have to run," Holmes said, "They just have to love working with young people."
Holmes said, "I welcome the help and input of others as we begin this exciting new program as part of the Hillsboro Recreation Commission."
