Race for the Schools celebrates first decade doing good
by Margaret Hurlbert
March 22, 2023

MUSCATINE, Iowa–10 years ago, Daphne Donald, executive secretary to the superintendent and board secretary for the Muscatine Community School District Board, remembers then Franklin Elementary School Principal Jason Wester, along with Kristyn Manjoine, envisioning a race that traveled past each of the district’s schools that could raise money for scholarships. Though the route ended up needing simplification, the race has endured over the years and has grown to benefit physical education departments across the district. May 6, the 10th Race for the Schools will begin at Muscatine High School at 2705 Cedar Street, and everyone from veteran organizers to young runners looks forward to a good turnout.

A fun way to support physical education departments at all levels, Race for the Schools has raised money to allow physical education teachers to purchase fitness equipment and provide experiences that they might not have the ability to otherwise. These have included helping to put together an ice skating field trip for junior high school students and  purchasing part of a class set of heart rate monitors with wireless display capabilities for high school students. In past years, the race has brought in about $5,000 annually, for a total of over $40,000 over the past decade. Donald would like to see the race raise even more than that this year, and for the race to continue its tradition of giving families a chance to enjoy getting active together. “The main focus is to get kids and families outside and having fun.”

This year, the Race for the Schools will have two events that people can run in, the Muskie Mile, and a five kilometer loop. Those who would like to do both events, no matter their age, can compete in the Muskie Challenge. Along with age group prizes for all ages in the five kilometer race and age group winners for runners 19 and under in the Muskie Mile, participants in the Muskie Challenge will receive a special participation medal, and top finishers will also receive a trophy.

An opportunity for runners of all ages to experience racing for the first time and to grow their skills over the years, both of the Muskie Mile’s 11-14-year-old winners and overall winners, Garrick Fillmore and Emily Hopkins, have enjoyed running in Race for the Schools since elementary school. “It’s a really fun community event,” said Garrick.

Garrick Fillmore and Emily Hopkins, winners of the 2022 Muskie Mile in the 11-14 age bracket and in the race overall. Photo by Margaret Hurlbert.

“I liked how I had a chance to run with a group of people,” added Emily. Competitive runners, Emily and Garrick both appreciated that Race for the Schools includes a pace setter, time clocks at the finish lines where racers could see them, and chip tracking to provide the most accurate and quickly accessible results possible.

Both of the students also think the race, with its various distance options, offers a great way for people to get into racing. “I think it’s a good experience for kids to try as they get older,” shared Emily.

“I thinks its a good first race because it’s super inclusive and encouraging,” observed Garrick.

Race for the Schools registration has opened for the general public, and anyone wanting to register may do so either online or by picking up a paper application at any Muscatine Community School District school or the Muscatine Community Y. All racers may select a school to support to continue the long standing tradition of tracking which school has the most entrants and presenting them with a traveling trophy.

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