Columbia’s Rod Stevens had just enough time after completing the 10th annual Boone Hospital Center WELLAWARE 5K Run/Walk Monday to catch his breath and get a drink of water before running in the Kids on Track race with his two children, ages 5 and 3.
Stevens’ 3-year-old son ran a quarter of the Kids on Track mile race before being placed on his dad’s shoulders to finish.
“The kids loved it,” Stevens said. “They all get blue ribbons and have fun.”
The event raised about $1,800 for the Columbia Youth Track Club’s Colts program and was a family affair for many of the runners.
The winner of the 5K was Zach Chapman of Hickman High School.
Greg Thackery, an exercise physiologist with WELLAWARE, ran the 5K for the fifth time with his 11-year-old daughter, Kristen.
“It’s becoming a family tradition,” Thackery said.
Kristen, a member of the youth club, said the race was a good way to spend time with her dad.
“I like running it because I get to see if I’ve improved on my time and it’s good exercise,” Kristen said.
The club’s Kids on Track program is sponsoring a running challenge for children ages 14 and younger this summer, giving them a calendar to keep track of their running, aiming for 26.2 miles.
Kids can register until June 30 at WELLAWARE, 1601 E. Broadway, or Tryathletics, 1605 Chapel Hill Road, for a $1 registration fee.
The final 1.2 mile run for the challenge will be held Aug. 20 at Twin Lakes Recreational Area, 2500 Chapel Hill Road. Food and prizes will be provided after the race at 9:30 a.m., and participants can take part in face-painting and games.