EV Elementary Running Club Receives $750 Grant

The Elkhorn Valley Running Club has been awarded a $750 grant through PATCH (Planned Approach To Community Health).  

PATCH grants are awarded to schools that demonstrate the greatest influence on youth and the likelihood of a sustainable impact on young people’s nutrition and activity levels through innovative programs.  

At Elkhorn Valley, 3rd through 6th grade club participants are encouraged to get up and get moving in a non-competitive environment. There are generally 25-35 runners who run 3 mornings a week for 15 minutes before school. The program is administered by volunteer coaches and junior high students. 

The students earn necklace ”charm” awards when they meet certain criteria. Some of the benchmarks are 3 days of running and numbered charms for surpassing milage marks (5, 10, 15, 20 miles). They can earn a large foot charm for reaching the Marathon Status, each time they reach the 26.2 mile mark. With the PATCH grant money, EV Running Club T-shirts will be provided to the members who have participated on a regular basis throughout the season (November to March).


Recently, the running club has had “Run with the Cross Country Team” and “Run with the Volleyball Team” days.  On these days, the junior high and high school athletes came to run along with and encourage the elementary runners. Several classroom teachers have noted that the students who participate before school are much more focused in the classroom on the running days.