Principal’s 1K Challenge set for Saturday at Hutchinson Park
Times have changed when it comes to fitness and the youth of the United States due to a variety of reasons.
Never one to shy away from a challenge, veteran cross country and track & field coach and competitor Joe Carei has brought back the Principal’s 1K Challenge.
The event is scheduled for Saturday at Hutchinson Park. The start time is set for 9 a.m., which will begin with a stretching session conducted by Family Ties Health & Wellness, which is owned by Hopwood’s Brooke Sova, who is a chiropractor at the business. Her husband, Teddie Sova, is a physical therapist at Family Ties Health & Wellness.
Carei’s TheTrophyHusband.run will host the event, whose main feature is a 1K run that is geared towards elementary school children. Carei ran the Principal’s 1K Challenge for three years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am happy to bring it back, and I hope to do it on a yearly, or maybe even a bi-yearly basis,” Carei said. “It is exciting to have an event in the county. We want to have the kids focus on fitness, and we want to catch them early in regards to fitness. Our motto is, ‘Get fit, stay fit.'”
Carei worked with Laurel Highlands Junior High Principal Mike Rozgony when the event was held at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, during Red Ribbon Week.
The principal who brings the most students from their school (percentage wise) will be awarded a trophy.
The 1K will be run on the loop around Hutchinson Park, and based on the amount of participants, several heats are a possibility.
“We had about 180 students come out in previous years, so there is a possibility we will need to run the 1K multiple times, but we would be glad to do that because it means we have a solid turnout,” Carei said. “We will also be doing a fitness fair for the first time. We have advocates from Fayette County Drug and Alcohol, the Liver Foundation, Tommy Shaffer’s boxing and the YMCA. The goal is to introduce the kids to various types of fitness.”
The event is free for elementary school age students and those interested are asked to register at https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Uniontown/PrincipalS1KChallenge
Every child who participates will receive a bib number, free event t-shirt and a finisher medal. T-shirt sizes are not guaranteed, but the event workers will do their best to accommodate everyone involved.
Parents are welcome to run with their child if they are hesitant. No registration is needed for parents.
Donations are welcome, but not required, to offset the cost of the event.
Hutchinson Park is located at 65 Reservoir Road, Uniontown, PA 15401.