Runners raise awareness of obesity risks by Leah Hoenen

Young runners sprint forward at the call of “Go!” and dash off across the

campus of St. Joseph’s College in Standish. They loop around, each collecting a medal as they cross the finish line.  Their fun run is the warm-up for a 5K race they’ve organized to raise awareness of the risks of childhood obesity.

The Trek Against Obesity was coordinated by a group of students, grades 3 through 7, who participate in RSU 14’s School-Aged Child Care after-school program. “Instead of just coming and doing activities, they did a service-learning project,” said Michael Martin, site coordinator for the project. “They spent a month and a half researching facts on childhood obesity, stats and numbers, and coordinating this race,” he said.

Students Molly Cochran and Sophie Potter provided the genesis for the project. “I like running and Sophie wanted kids to lose weight so they didn’t get diabetes,” Molly explained.

Sophie said, “We have sent a lot of letters around since the start of the school year.” Students wrote to area businesses seeking sponsorship as they set up the Saturday, June 29 race.

Proceeds from the morning race will be donated to the American Diabetes Association, said Martin just before the start of the run. He praised the students for their dedication to the project. “These guys have worked tirelessly to get this thing going.”

Cutlines

Students from the RSU 14 School-Aged Child Care after-school program put on a 5K race to raise awareness of the risks of childhood obesity as part of a service-learning project. Shown before the race are, back row (l-r) Molly Cochran, Sarah Hair and Abby Cochran; middle row, Madison Hancock, Sophie Potter, Laura Goodwin, Nicole Bossinett and site coordinator Michael Martin; in front are Lexi Goodwin and Isabelle Thomas. Missing from the photo is Amanda Foss.

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Coordinators of the Trek Against Obesity race take off in pursuit of Paul Cochran as they embarked on a fun run just ahead of the 5K fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association.

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Molly Cochran, one of the student coordinators of the Trek Against Obesity 5K fundraiser presents a gift to her father, Paul Cochran, for helping with race preparation.

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Runners take off at the start of the Saturday, June 29 Trek Against Obesity 5K race held at St. Joseph’s College in Standish.