Photos
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Participants waiting at Roosevelt Intermediate School's parking lot after the race. Credits: Francesca Figalo
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Westfield resident John Kuhn runs through the finish line, placing first. Credits: Francesca Figalo
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Westfield High School freshman Jake Tooley won second place. Credits: Francesca Figalo
Roosevelt Intermediate School Raises Childhood Obesity Awareness with 4th Annual 5K
Sunday, October 14, 2012 • 9:59pm
WESTFIELD, NJ—On Oct. 14, the physical education department at Roosevelt Intermediate School held its fourth annual 5K race to conquer childhood obesity.
“The purpose is to raise money for ING Run For Something Better foundation,” said Demont Heard, a physical education teacher at the school and one of the events' four organizers. “They sponsor physical education programs.”
According to www.orangelaces.com, ING Run For Something Better is an accredited charity managed by the ING Community Fund, which tackles childhood obesity by helping children become fit through free, school-based running fitness programs. The charity’s programs introduce children to the benefits of running, physical fitness and healthy lifestyle choices using grants that are funded through individuals’ donations and fundraising efforts.
The Roosevelt 5K race began and finished at the school. Anyone who was willing to run or walk around the school was able to participate. Last year, approximately 250 people participated in the race. Every year the number of participants increases.
John Kuhn, a Westfield resident, has participated at the Roosevelt 5K race for the past four years because his children attend the school. He was the first participant to run through the finish line this year.
“It’s always nice to win,” Kuhn said.
Unlike Kuhn, it was Jake Tooley’s first year participating in the race. He won second place.
“My friend told me about [the race],” Tooley, a freshman at Westfield High School, said. “We both do cross country at the school.”
This year marked Vivian Suchy’s first year participating in the race as well. Suchy, a Spanish teacher at Roosevelt Intermediate School and a Westfield resident, won third place. She said that she participated in this year’s race because she supports the programs at the school.
The physical education department sends approximately $4,000 to ING Run For Something Better. The department has been donating to the same charity for the past four years.
“We are all Phys. Ed. teachers, so we try to make our race relate to a program that promotes physical fitness,” Heard said.
Sponsors of the race included Symantec, Sole, Tamar Jewelry, YMCA, Cosimo’s, Bohemian Raspberry and A&T.
