Small steps of progress

Katie Williams jogs around a sharp corner on Cape La Croix Trail, slowing to a walk as she passes underneath Hopper Road.

Ahead of her, around 50 students from Clippard Elementary School are darting along the trail's sidewalk. A few children and a parent volunteer linger behind her.

The fourth-grader isn't particularly mindful that she's near the back of the pack. That's not really what Marathon Club is about.

It's difficult to pin down exactly what motivates Williams and around 65 other elementary students to show up for the weekly mile runs at Clippard. Ask any of them to explain their reason and they'll say simply, "I like the exercise."

That explanation is like breathing fresh air for Teri Jones, the Clippard teacher and marathon runner who organized the club.

Jones took the idea from a similar program in St. Louis. Students run 26 miles, read 26 books and do 26 good deeds in 26 weeks.

Eight-year-old Noah Ray says he's helped his mom at home and let his younger sisters play with toys first for his good deeds.

"It's the nice thing to do, and God wants us to do it," he says.

On the trail Wednesday -- week nine of the program -- Williams zips up her black hooded sweatshirt against the chilly air. She likes to jog slowly, taking small steps and then walk for awhile to catch her breath.

That's OK, says Jones. Marathon Club is not a race.

As she bounces from left foot to right, Katie talks about school work and her family. That's OK too, according to Jones. You're supposed to be able to talk while you're running, she says, otherwise you're pushing yourself too hard.

She passes two younger girls on the sidewalk. In between panting, 8-year-olds Taylor Connell and Kristin Thompson are counting numbers.

"OK, when we get to 20, we'll run again," Connell says.

A few seconds later, the two girls take off at a sprint. The momentum carries them about 20 feet, then they fall into a walk again. Sprint, walk, sprint, walk. Slow and steady.

Everyone has a different pace in Marathon Club. Some of the students run the mile in seven minutes. Others come in at around 30 minutes.

Every Wednesday, the marathon kids -- some from Clippard, others who are homeschooled and dropped off especially for the program -- gather in the school gym for a light snack and a health lesson.

They spend about 10 minutes stretching arm and leg muscles, and then it's outside to the La Croix Trail.

"There are three components here: the enjoyment of reading, learning you can do a good deed every day and that if you build up slowly, exercise can be fun and a social activity," Jones says. "We're trying to instill a love for all three components."

The program should wrap up sometime in May. Students who participate all year receive a T-shirt and a medal.

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128