Garfield Elementary School 'Elite Runners' gear up for Bix weekend

"I like to play a lot," the incoming first-grader said. "… And training." 

But when it came down to running laps, Obed wasn't playing around. He set a new Garfield Running Club record, clocking 190 laps total this school year. 

He and four other "Garfield Elite" runners — students ending the school year with the highest Running Club mileage — are headed to the Arconic Jr. Bix and Prairie Farms Quick Bix races this weekend. 

Asked about his favorite memory from Running Club, Obed's reply was almost as fast as he is: "How I (ran) in front of lots of people at a time," he said. 

As previously reported, the Garfield Running Club was founded in memory of Nick Running, a Garfield graduate who died in 2019 at age 21. The club is entirely voluntary, encouraging students to run laps at recess or during lunch periods. Each lap earns students a clothespin to give to their teacher, who then keeps track of the class's total and individual mileage.

"I like to run a lot, but I also did really want to join the Bix," said incoming fourth-grader Bradon Leatherberry, another Elite runner. "I also wanted to do it to practice for soccer." 

Incoming fifth-grader Claire Hendrickson, another Elite runner, also found Running Club to help with her various other sports.

"I first just started running with my friends," she said. "But then I realized I really liked running."

Tempie Johnson, another Elite runner and incoming fifth-grader, joined because she "just likes running," but has enjoyed getting to do so with friends at school.  

While she's run other races before, Claire said she decided to make the Quick Bix a goal after her Running Club mileage improved from fall to spring.

"So, I tried really really hard to get a bunch of laps," she said, recalling many running-heavy recesses. "I just remember feeling very satisfied after running a lot of laps."

This past school year, Garfield students ran more than 16,000 laps — reaching close to 100% student and staff participation.

Thanks to support from the Quad-City Times Bix 7 race staff, Running Wild and anonymous donors, Garfield also expanded Running Club to include kindergarten through second-graders.  

"Last year, there were way more sixth-graders, older kids, who won it (highest mileage)," said Garfield Principal Andrew Foelske. "This year, it was all younger kids." 

Coincidentally, the second-place Elite Runner, Mahari Horton, was a second grader. 

"At the time, I just liked to run outside," she said of joining Running Club. "I remember being so surprised on the day I found out how many clips I had." 

Her mom, Raquel Garcia, said Mahari has always been "sort of athletic," but was surprised to learn of her daughter's dedication. 

"She told me she was in the Running Club, but I didn't know she was giving up her recess to do (it)," Garcia said. "She's always been in sports, but running, I think now, has been her 'number one.'" 

Davona Hoffmeier, Bradon's mom, echoed similar thoughts. 

"He definitely has a lot of energy, so it was good for him to put it somewhere … but I didn't know how much he was really, like, 'into it,'" she said.

Hoffmeier said she didn't realize Quick Bix entry was a potential outcome of Running Club when Bradon joined. 

"So, I was surprised and really happy, almost as much as he was, about it," she said.

Aside from being an "outlet" for physical activity and energy, Running Club also gives Garfield students a sense of community. Especially this past school year, in which Garfield absorbed former Washington Elementary School students. 

"About half of the kids who won their grade-level were not (students) here last year," Foelske said. "All those kids participated in something that was totally new to them, and they were just kind of 'hyped up' from the kids who did it last year."

To help keep Running Club's hype up, kindergarten teacher Kari Thomas was a frequent participant — clocking 180 laps herself. 

"I just wanted to keep the kids motivated … I kind of wanted to beat Obed," she said with a laugh. 

Recesses would often turn into a fun competition between Thomas and her students. 

"I'd always say, 'If you keep going, you can get as many laps as Ms. Thomas!" she said. "They'd say, 'I'm gonna beat you!,' and they would. It was fun for them, to do a little trash talk and beat (staff.)" 

Kahty Running, Nick Running's mom, is happy to see the club's continuing strength. To her, Running Club helps Garfield students get acclimated for school, "in a fun way." 

"They're making new friends, and it's such a healthy thing. You can always run," she said, noting it helps with other sports, too. "I'm excited, I think it's great and it sounds like there are so many people who are going to keep helping it continue."

Case in point, most of this year's Elite Runners said "running with friends" was their fondest memory from Running Club. The group feels a mixture of excitement and nerves as they head into Bix weekend.

"I've been practicing, I run on the bike path with my mom," Claire said. "But, I'm still kind of nervous." 

Fortunately, the group feels reassured by their Running Club participation — particularly, their "Elite" status. 

Redeem Toko, Obed's mom, was proud of her son's hard work and participation. 

"I can say I'm excited about it … He was the best runner," despite his age and small stature, she said. "I'm very proud." 

Toko said she's excited for all of this year's Elite runners, and she looks forward to supporting Obed and Mahari at the Jr. Bix.