The Fun Run is an annual event Lewis Cass Elementary hosts to bring our community together and encourage kids to branch out of their comfort zone. It is a race that students in grades preK-5th grade participate in, with distances varying by grade. Pre-schoolers run 400 meters, while kindergarten and first-grade students run 600 meters. Second and third graders run 1,000 meters, while fourth and fifth graders run 1,200 meters. Most people know of the event, but not the history of it.
In the past, the Fun Run course would alternate every year between Galveston and Thompson Elementary until recently, when the course remained here at Lewis Cass when the schools consolidated. One Fun Run tradition upheld every year is that the superintendent fires a starter pistol at the beginning of every race. This race was created 45 years ago by retired teachers Stu Whitcomb and Don Bonsett. Whitcomb was previously an art teacher at Galveston and Thompson Elementary and is now enjoying his retirement. Don Bonsett was a previous gym teacher at Thompson Elementary and is currently still coaching the high school boys’ cross country team at Lewis Cass in his 56th season!
When asked what inspired the gentlemen to start the Fun Run at Lewis Cass, Bonsett responded, “There were several reasons to start this event. One of them is to make kids more active and moving in a fun, light-hearted environment.” This race is a great way to get kids outside and be involved in a unique environment that they do not get to experience every day. On top of increasing the kids’ activity, Bonsett said, ”This event is a great transition from elementary school to a middle school environment since Fun Run can help expose elementary kids to the competitive sports they will face in junior high and eventually high school.” With the kids’ physical abilities and future endeavors in mind, Whitcomb and Bonsett introduced Fun Run to Lewis Cass, which became an annual event loved by the community and an event that students look forward to.
Greta Jackson, the current gym teacher at Lewis Cass Elementary, took over the duty of coordinating the Fun Run. When asked how Fun Run impacts the kids, Jackson replied, “It is a fun activity that builds character and bonds. The kids start to grow a love for running and build memories with their families as they run at home to train for the race.” Although Jackson believes the event does not only focus on athletic ability. The Fun Run is a place where students can run at their own pace and improve individually, in contrast to team sports. Throughout Jackson’s experience of planning the event, she believes the most challenging part is getting students to participate, motivating them, and keeping track of everyone in the course. This duty holds many responsibilities and work, but Jackson is supported by a big community. In fact, this is the first year the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) joined the event and has raised $12,000 in the first month, which will go towards the Elementary School. Not to mention, a majority of the staff at Lewis Cass Elementary and both the boys and girls cross country teams at Lewis Cass High School volunteer at this event to help the little ones by passing out water, guiding the runners, handing out ribbons, and cracking jokes.
Senior cross country runners, Aftin Griffin and Kylie Logan, volunteered at the Fun Run this year. Since this is the girls’ last year volunteering, they were asked what they would miss most about the Fun Run. Kylie said she will miss being in the press box, announcing jokes for the kids and parents. Aftin will miss running with all the kids and seeing the smiles on their faces. They have both participated in the Fun Run back when they were in Elementary school. When asked what their experience was, Aftin responded, “I would always get so nervous the day of the Fun Run, but I loved doing it every year. Doing a fun competition like that definitely started my love for running. I look forward to running it every year.” In contrast to Aftin’s cheerful memory, Kylie briefly answered, “I hated it. It was the worst thing I’ve ever done.” Despite their controversial opinions, they have formed memories and an interest in running, as they are varsity runners on the cross country team.
The Fun Run has a positive impact on the kids and the community. It builds bonds, character, and many memories. Bonsett and Jackson plan to keep the Fun Run tradition going even after their retirement, so looking forward to the years ahead, come out and support our rising Kings in the Lewis Cass Elementary Fun Run.
