Students come out to run for fun, funds

Students, parents and teachers donning white T-shirts could be seen running in groups throughout south Plumas Lake this past weekend as they participated in a fun run for student athletics.

The group was made up mostly of students from Riverside Meadows Intermediate School’s track and field team and their families.

“We wanted to do a fundraiser that was inside the community and something the community could be part of,” said Tina Lyons, a sixth grade teacher at Riverside Meadows and the track and field coach.

The run was 1.5 miles around the neighborhood with the participants having had raised funds ahead of time to help support the event. Student Madison LaClair was the top fundraiser, collecting $80 for the cause, while Zack Shively, a 10th grader at Wheatland High School, was the fastest runner, at 9 minutes and 50 seconds. Carlos Negrete, a seventh grader from Riverside Meadows was second at 10:09.

While the group had hoped for more community participation, they were excited to have had the fire department and the Parent, Teacher, Student Association from the school out to support the runners. Along with the snacks that the PTSA provided, radio station 107.9 FM came out in support.

Each runner who participated received a medal at the finish line as well as the T-shirt. A raffle was held after the event.

The athletic department hopes to make this an annual event with more community coming out to participate each time.

“It’s a good starting point,” said Lyons, “and a good way to get everyone healthy at the same time.”

Plumas Lake Life correspondent Michele Perrault can be reached at 483-3664 or at mperrault@plumaslakelife.com