Before the Willow Springs jogathon, Goldie, a kindergartner, was excited and she practiced for it all week.

Afterward?

“She was glad she was done; she said her legs got tired, but my son says he could run forever,” said Katie Griffin, who was with her youngest, Greta, as she talked about her school-age daughter and first-grader Gabe. “I like how the school is supporting healthy behaviors for kids and how it’s community-building with a lot of people here to support the kids. Everyone is wanting to help the school. Both of my kids wanted to earn money, so they did chores for both my mom and dad and they had a lemonade stand.”

The schoolwide PTA fundraiser made $24,000, which “the bulk of it going toward field trips,” Willow Springs PTA President Kelsey Boyce said. “There are two or more field trips for every grade. We also give a free T-shirt to all the students and staff. We support chess and choir programs, classroom teacher grants, diversity week and other events.”

The run began and ended on the school campus with the majority of it following a ½-mile route through the neighborhood. Students could run the route as many times as they wanted.

“Our highest kids went seven times, so three-and-one half miles,” she said. “We had parents along the route with cowbells and cheering. They’d squirt the kids and make it fun for the kids. Even neighbors who don’t have students at the school were encouraging.”

Instead of having concessions available to purchase, this year the PTA received donations from WinCo and Fat Cats so all 560 students received popcorn, popsicles and candy, Boyce said.

However, many of the students first went to an inflatable obstacle course, which was made possible as an incentive to the students. Other incentives were music at lunch, 30-minute board games and craft parties and Principal Anne Hansen sleeping on the roof.

“With the refreshments being donated and none of the incentives costing anything, the inflatable was our only cost. I like the jogathon because it’s volunteer-led, so all the proceeds are going directly to our school,” Boyce said. “I also like the community feel. Parents and neighbors come out and it brings people together. And I like the kids having an opportunity to do something hard. A lot of them are proud of the effort that they put in. It’s a way they can be active physically and active in earning money for their school.”

She added teachers were happy after the run.

“The kids were able to get all of that energy out, so it was a really smooth day,” she said.

The jogathon began the first year the school opened, in 2006. It’s been an annual tradition except for during COVID-19 when classroom danceathons were held.

“It’s been a favorite activity for the kids and for our community,” Boyce said.

Fifth-grader Alivia Martinez said she has liked the event even though “it’s hard and tiring.”

The soccer player says running in soccer is easier because “you’re following something, but I liked this year’s obstacle course because it’s fun and bouncy.”

Her older sister, Abilee, watched her sister’s last jogathon. Abilee ran it six times.

“The best thing about the jogathon was just the fun I had doing it,” she said.

Their mother, Kristy, also appreciates the jogathon.

“I like it gets kids out and active,” she said. “It’s a fun Friday.”