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Kids run Kids Run

Everett Taylor, 10, pushes himself to stay ahead of his sister, Abigail, 11, during the America’s Kids Run race on the track around the Argonne Parade Field on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., May 16, 2015. Ultimately, Abigail took first place in the 10 to 11 age group during the race. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jason Wiese)

Kids run Kids Run

Children take off at the start of the America’s Kids Run race May 16, 2015, on the track around the Argonne Parade Field on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. America’s Kids Run is an armed forces-wide race for dependent children held in May each year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jason Wiese)

Kids run Kids Run

Joy Brisby, 6, leaps for distance during the long jump competition on the Argonne Parade Field on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., May 16, 2015. Track and Field events including the long jump, 500- and 700-meter runs and a sack race took place on the field after the America’s Kids Run race taking place the same day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jason Wiese)

Kids run Kids Run

Published May 19, 2015
By Senior Airman Jason Wiese
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Before a big race, one might find runners engaging in any of several pre-race activities. They might be stretching, meditating, warming up or doing something quirky and superstitious to increase their odds of winning.

The runners on the track around the Argonne Parade Field here May 16 had a peculiar way of preparing for the race: laughing and playing on the nearby playground and swinging on the swings.

Children and teens raced around the track for the America's Kids Run race, and shortly after, competed in track and field events.

According to www.americaskidsrun.org, America's Kids Run has its roots in the Bloomsday Race in Washington State. The 7.46-mile course proved too difficult for children, so coordinators created Junior Bloomsday for them. After a great deal of military support, Junior Bloomsday became America's Kids Run, and military children run it all over the world.

Chuck Finney, 90th Force Support Squadron youth sports director, headed the coordination of the event.

"It's just so we have a day to have some fun events for the kids," he said.

Finney said he has hosted the kids run for 12 years and the track meet 20 years.

A local Boy Scout troop visited the base for the race. One of the troop's members, Brock Thompson, 15, finished first in the kids run.

Thompson said he is an avid runner, but he mostly runs non-competitively.

"Part of the scout oath is keeping physically strong, and we're here to do that," he said.

Tech. Sgt. Dan Johnson, 153rd Command and Control Squadron client systems, brought his child to compete in the race and said he encourages parents to take advantage of the services offered by Finney and the Youth Center.

"If people do have kids, they should check out the Youth Center," he said. "They have activities for kids of all ages to keep them active."

The following competitors won in their respective events and age group:

America's Kids Run
Age Group	Winner
5 to 6	Joy Brisby
7 to 9	Zachary Taylor
10 to 11	Abigail Taylor
12 and older	Brock Thompson

Long Jump
Age Group	Winner
5 to 7	Sarah Drost
8 to 9	Imogen Bolden
10 to 11	Victoria Balser
12 and older	Alex Pachniak

500-meter Run
Age Group	Winner
5 to 7	Sarah Drost
8 to 10	Nevaeh Green
11 and older	Michael Green

Sack Race
Age Group	Winner
4 to 6	Reagan Drost
7 to 9	Sarah Drost
10 to 11	Victoria Balser
12 and older	Brock Thompson

70-meter Run
Age Group	Winner
4 to 6	Reagan Drost
7 to 9	Ian Bazinet
10 to 11	Everett Taylor
12 and older	Michael Shang