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Running for health and for fun, too

| 28 Oct 2014 | 04:52
    The first-place finisher was Ryan Dodrzynski, 9, a student at Rolling Hills, who took a break after crossing the finish line.
    The first-place finisher was Ryan Dodrzynski, 9, a student at Rolling Hills, who took a break after crossing the finish line.
    Costumed children in the playground.
    Costumed children in the playground.
    The Incredible Hulk (Walnut Ridge physical education teacher Todd Piontkowski) chases an Imperial Stormtrooper.
    The Incredible Hulk (Walnut Ridge physical education teacher Todd Piontkowski) chases an Imperial Stormtrooper.
    Winnie the Pooh (Walnut Ridge Librarian, Ben Joseph) nears the finish line.
    Winnie the Pooh (Walnut Ridge Librarian, Ben Joseph) nears the finish line.
    With their feet barely touching the ground, two members of Girls on the Run organization lead the costumed runners during last Saturday's Monster Mile Race at Maple Grange Park.
    With their feet barely touching the ground, two members of Girls on the Run organization lead the costumed runners during last Saturday's Monster Mile Race at Maple Grange Park.

VERNON — Last Saturday’s Monster Mile race was held to help promote physical fitness at the younger ages as well as to celebrate the fall season, race director Toni Cilli said.

Held at Maple Grange Park, more than 150 children signed up for the race.

Walnut Ridge Physical Education teacher Todd Piontkowski earlier explained that in order to help prepare the youngsters ready for the race, he has been taking his students running two days each week before their lunch and tracking their progress over several weeks. According to Piontkowski, right before the race, his kids have logged some 6,000 miles, or as he described it, enough miles to run from Vernon to Key West, Florida and onto Texas.

The day also included lots of free snacks as well as a costume contest judged by Walnut Ridge Librarian Ben Joseph.

— Photos by Chris Wyman