WINNIPEG — Their goal is simple.
“I think it would be cool to win first place,” said Emma Hartwig, a grade five student at Weston School.
Sal Capizzi’s is a bit more complicated.
“I’m trying to fight these kids in the battle against Facebook and video games,” said the West End school’s phys ed teacher.
That’s why Capizzi started a running club in 2008 to help place his students on the path towards an active lifestyle.
“Studies have shown that this is the first generation where their lifespan is supposed to be less than their parents,” said Capizzi. “That’s a scary thought.”
The group trains three times a week during the noon hour. This year’s finish line is the 2.6-mile Manitoba Marathon Super Run on June 21.
“There’s going to be a lot of people there,” said student Lucas Macdonald. “Maybe some cameras.”
WATCH: How Global Winnipeg’s Mitch Rosset gets an interview
To give these kids a leg up, Global News along with 680 CJOB and Skechers came together to provide them with brand new runners.
WATCH: Weston School running club in Winnipeg gets brand new sneakers in preparation for the Manitoba Marathon
“What we want to see is active, healthy kids who are having a positive experience,” said the Manitoba Marathon’s Rachel Munday. “By having a positive experience, they’re going to want to continue.”
Running with friends of all kinds.
“Sometimes I run with my dog,” said student Monical Cediel. “He runs with me so much. He pulls me so I have to run really fast with him.”
Some extra practice to help prepare for race day.
Comments