Will Run for Fun!: Olympics Day!!

The Olympics in London came to a close this Sunday. But before the games ended, here at Will Run for Fun we got a chance to participate in our very own Olympics!

Everyone showed up at the Newton South Track last Thursday with their game faces on and were decked out in bright colors to represent a nation. We had kids representing Great Britain, Portugal, USA, Canada and even Swaziland!

We started out by rotating through five different events, which included the long jump, balance beam, discus, 100m dash and hurdles.

The long jump tested their ability to jump as far as they could- with a running start of course! We even wrote their names next to the place where they landed. At the balance beam, the kids practiced their balancing skills by walking on a thin line and trying out some different gymnastics moves too! Our take on the discus (an event where a large, heavy disc is thrown as far as possible) included light Frisbees. Not only did we see how far the kids could throw the disc, but we also tested their aiming skills by having them throw the disc at two targets (hula hoops). On the track, we practiced speed by having a 100m dash. This event was definitely a favorite of the kids! Everyone was also very enthusiastic about the hurdles (kids sized of course!) which involved both running and jumping at the same time.

All of us then took to the track for the final event- the 400m relay. All competing as a single team, everyone tried their best- and no one ended up walking! The kids handed off to their teammates with great ease. It takes even the most skilled runner a long time to master the art of a hand-off, and these kids have a great start. We even had a dad on the track- he was certainly a lot of help with keeping the kids going! On of our own staff members anchored the relay. This was really a treat for everyone to watch!

In the end, the kids truly captured the Olympic spirit by congratulating each of the participants in the games and celebrating their successes with awards and Popsicles.

We are so glad that this day went just as planned. Everyone's enthusiasm really kept the games going and the mood was incredibly optimistic! (even when the kids were tired)

Thank you all for such a wonderful Olympics Day!

And make sure to check out even more photos of the events on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/WillRunForFun