Grade 5 students from local schools gathered at Onchaminahos Elementary School in Saddle Lake on Friday to participate in the annual Wind Runners Invitational, which puts the students’ physical endurance to the test as they take part in a five kilometre team run.
Teams were made up of five students, with each student running for a kilometre. It takes “mental discipline and health” to compete in the event, says physical education teacher at Onchaminahos Elementary School, Trevor Cardinal.
The run began in 2005, and this year’s edition included students from St. Paul, Ashmont and Saddle Lake, who trained for the event through the school year.
“It was very exciting . . . it was a close race,” says Cardinal of Friday’s run. “It is the closest race I’ve seen in a long time.”
As the last team members neared the end of the race on Friday morning, teachers and cheering students encouraged the young athletes to cross the finish line. Coming in first, just a few seconds ahead of the host school was St. Paul Elementary Community School (SPECS) student Morgan Gerlinsky. Her teammates were Kurtis Labant, Daniel Hebert, Sheldon Scrannage and Sydnie Bespalko. Third place went to Glen Avon School.
After the race, Onchaminahos student Ethan Dion admitted he felt some pressure leading into the event. But he says he ran nearly every day at school to prepare for the event.
“It was fun and hard,” said SPECS’ Sheldon Scrannage, who added he was really excited for his team to place first.
After the race and before students enjoyed a lunch together, Florence Large spoke to the youth, and explained to them the reason for the Wind Runners Invitational.
“It’s not so much to beat each other,” she said, adding the race was started to encourage a positive relationship and “promote harmony” between the communities of Saddle Lake, St. Paul and Ashmont.
