"Ms. Premsrirath" and her students at the Hawthorne 5K.
“When I went to the 5K, I expected it to be
something different. But it was still all the fun I
expected, especially running with friends. It was
also fun at the end of the race because we got
medals and lots of free stuff. I’d say I would like
to run a 5K again.” -- Gerardo V.
This is what one of my students had to say after
we ran the Hawthorne 5K on Sunday, May
20th. For the past several years now, my students
and I have run this race. It’s a local race and
benefits the Hawthorne School District. I teach
fourth graders in the Lennox School District, a
small school district, with 5 elementary schools, 1
middle school and 1 high school. Lennox is a 1.2
square mile, unincorporated city of Los
Angeles. Our population is mostly Latino with a
small percentage of African-American and Tongan
students.
"Ms. Premsrirath" and her students at the Hawthorne 5K.
My thirty-two fourth graders and I have been running together this whole school year. In a small community like Lennox, with only one park and overcrowded streets, being able to run at school is a haven. My students are running a marathon over the course of the year, logging in the laps that they run each week. On our little track, a mile is 9 laps! But my students are eager and excited about running. Each week, they can’t wait to have running club, as we call it, and are disappointed when we can’t squeeze it in. “Can we do extra next week?” they always ask. Besides running a marathon throughout the year, we also run the Hawthorne 5K so that students get to experience a real race, the distance and a run that’s not just around a track.
This year six of my students were able to make it to the race. They quickly learned all of the race protocols like picking up your bib, going to the porta-potty before the race and singing the National Anthem. During the race, my students kept looking back to see where I was. As soon as they spotted me, they’d sprint for awhile. But I’d trudge along and would soon catch up. “There’s Ms. Premsrirath! Run!” Each student completed the race which was a huge accomplishment for them all, especially considering that the course was actually 3.29 miles (according to my Garmin) and not the usual 3.1. But they all did so well and especially loved getting a cinch pack full of goodies.
“What I liked about the 5K is that it really got me used to running longer. Also that it was good exercise for my body. I also liked that the money we paid goes to charity. It was lots of fun. I was thankful for all the free things the 5K helpers gave everyone.” -- Yajaira R.
“5K Horror: I was really tired. It wasn’t a 5K because it was longer. My legs felt like they were going to fall off. I couldn’t breathe and I felt like a fish out of water, literally.” -- Miguel M.
So maybe it was horrific for Miguel but I know he had fun nonetheless. I know this because ever since that race, he always asks me, “When are we going to another 5K?” My kids are learning early how addicting running can be. I hope they keep it up in years to come as they are the future of this sport we all love so much!