Midvalley Elementary run kicks off health week

The Ruff family was one of many who participated in Midvalley Elementary’s one-mile fun run, the kick-off to the school’s health and safety week.

Sixth-grader John Ruff was the first finisher at the third annual event, Sept. 19, ahead of his mother, Andrea, and brothers, Josh and Jaren, who also attend Midvalley, as well as his sister Mary, an eighth-grader at Union Middle School in Sandy. John received a hat for first prize.

“Running is something I’m good at and I like the rush I get from it,” John said. “I like having fun, staying healthy and eating things that give me more energy.”

Midvalley Parent-Teacher Association President Andrea Aguirre said the goal of the run was to motivate students and families to become healthier.

“We’re trying to get students and their families excited about exercise by making it something fun that they can do together,” she said.

The weeklong activities also included walking to school with a Midvale Police officer and being greeted by Grizzby of the Utah Grizzlies, walking or running around the school’s paved perimeter, promoting healthy foods and healthy lifestyle choices, and an assembly encouraging students to move and dance. The school also held a raffle for scooters, basketballs, water bottles, jump ropes and other items.

“Our theme this year is ‘Go the Distance,’ and it works for everything we do, from academics to health and fitness. This isn’t something they just do this once, it’s something they need to learn to do for their lives,” said Aguirre, who hopes to introduce a new program, Mile by Mile, to target fitness this year.

Midvalley has earned the state’s Gold Medal School program status.

Sarah Quirante, who organized the run and week-long health events, said that being active and having fun is the key to fitness.

“I’m passionate about having a healthy lifestyle,” she said. “We need to get students excited about being at school, being healthy, exercising and having fun while doing it. If it’s not fun, then they won’t do it. We need them to respond and become healthy for life.”

The key for some is doing it with friends and family. The Hatch family realized this as they supported the fun run.

“It’s a good time we can have with our family,” said mother Errolyn Hatch, adding that the family usually walks together. “We can support our school and be healthy.”