Students Ready for 'Burning for Learning' 5k Race Next Sunday

On Sunday, April 10, a section of Upper Dublin will look like a miniature version of Philly’s Broad Street Run, as students, parents and community supporters gather for Fort Washington Elementary School’s first Burning for Learning Fort 5K Race.

Jen Pilling and Christina Carson-Sacco, Fort Washington Elementary School (FWES) parents and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) members, are co-chairing this inaugural affair. They love to run. They also love their children’s elementary school. According to Pilling, it was natural for them to combine these two loves in the resulting 5K fundraiser. 

“We thought a race would be a fun way to raise money," said Pilling. "We loved the idea of doing something healthy, something to get families out together, something not only good for the participants themselves, their bodies, but also good for the school.”

The course starts on the Upper Dublin High School track, reached via Spark Drive. The 5K course then meanders on a set, flat path through the Fort Washington community, and ends back on the track.

There also will be a one-mile “Fun Walk” prior to the race, at 8:30, geared toward children and others who do not want to do the full 5K. The Fun Walk will be four laps around the track and not through the neighborhood.

According to 5K co-chair Pilling, 130 people have registered so far, more than halfway toward the goal of 250 participants. 

“These aren’t just Fort Washington families. We’re really trying to get people from all over," Pilling said.

She noted that there are avid runners in the Philadelphia area who like to run as many races as they can and who have signed up.

Pilling also said that, while it’s “a little daunting” to be organizing this race, as it’s the first time that it is taking place, the support and sponsorship from the community has been wonderful. Many local businesses have contributed to this cause, and some have donated prizes for the runners. There is also sponsorship from corporations in Philadelphia. 

Fort Washington teacher Sean McAleer, who is a professional DJ when he is not teaching his fifth-grade students, will lend his talents by playing music during the race.

Money will go toward PTA projects at the school, specifically for “educational, technological and other resources for the students, teachers and support staff of the school,” according to the 5K’s website. 

The organizers have set up 12 age groups for the runners, with three prizes awarded in each age grouping. The age groups, with the first three finishers in each receiving awards, are: 10 and under, 11-14, 15-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, and 60 and over. 

There also will be three special awards just for members of the Fort Washington Elementary School family: fastest parent, fastest student and fastest staff member.  

Pilling and Carson-Sacco have the support of the Fort Washington Elementary community behind them. Two of the supporters, Nicole Burns and Sharon Griswold, who also are runners, decided to take their support a step further, and they volunteered to run an after-school program to prepare FWES students for the 5K. 

Burns and Griswold, who have children at FWES, involved children in third, fourth and fifth grades in the training sessions, which met once a week for six weeks. The first weeks of training involved alternating walking and running through the neighborhoods near the school, using a GPS watch to track the mileage. 

The duo held a mock 5K for the second to last class on the high school track. 

“All the kids finished. It was really fun, and those who finished first cheered and clapped for those still running,” said Burns.  “It was neat to (see the camaraderie.)"

The student runners and their coaches, Burns and Griswold, ran to Friendly’s for their last meeting, as a reward, and at the suggestion of a student participant in the class. At the restaurant, the kids and “trainers” signed neon green T-shirts, which the club members will wear for the 5K run. By then, the club’s name (along with its homemade logo) will be emblazoned on the shirts:  FWES Roadrunners.  

Griswold, noting that running not only is “a healthy way to exercise, but also a way to clear my head and de-stress,” added, “Our FWES kids have worked very hard and challenged themselves.  They made great progress over those six weeks” of the class. 

Griswold looks forward to the community coming out and cheering on the kids and adults alike at the 5K. 

To register, visit www.active.com/running/fort-washington-pa/burning-for-learning-fort-5k-2011.  The fee for the full 5K is $25 per runner (which includes a T-shirt, while they last).  Registration also will be $25 on the day of the race.  The fee for the one-mile Fun Walk will be $5 for pre-registrants, and $7 on race day. (Fun Walk participants will receive bandanas instead of T-shirts.)

On-site registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. on race day, April 10, and the 5K will start at 9 a.m.. The one-mile “Fun Walk” will commence prior to the race, at 8:30 a.m.

The 5K organizers are looking for teens and adults to volunteer their assistance on the morning of the race.  To volunteer, or for more information about the race, contact Pilling at jenpilling@gmail.com.