KOLOA — How many laps of a 200-meter course can you complete in 10 minutes?
That was the challenge put forth to Alaka‘i O Kaua‘i Public Charter School students during the jog-a-thon held at the school’s campus in the Kahili Mountain valley by DJ Adams, the school’s po‘o kumu, or director, earlier this month.
“We are proud of each and every one of our students from kindergarten keiki to grade six, as everyone completed at least one lap,” Adams said. “The overall jogging course was outdoors on a grass field, and each lap was around 200 meters, which made for a great cross-country challenge.”
Of the school’s student population, one girl, Hannah Chidester, completed eight laps, or around 3.2 kilometers, in the allocated time, Adams said.
Male students finished with four learners completing 10 laps, or a distance of nearly four kilometers, Adams said. These students include Jaxen Neilsen, Demitrius Reilly, Chase Batalucco and Sawyer Kimball, who went on to represent Alaka‘i O Kaua‘i during the state Department of Education Kaua‘i Complex Area Spelling Bee that was held that same evening.
Alaka‘i O Kaua‘i is no stranger to hosting running and jogging events.
In November ahead of Thanksgiving, the school hosted its Second annual Turkey Trot for more than 150 runners that saw keiki runners from kindergarten to grade three participate in the short course, and learners in grades four to six running the long course.
During the Turkey Trot, Lana Black was the female winner, and Kahoku Tam was the boy winner of the kindergarten class. Tatiana Zimmerman was the girl winner, and Logan Klausing was the boy winner in first grade, and Joleen Sachs was the girl winner and Jaxen Nielsen previewed the jog-a-thon by being the boy winner for second grade.
Hannah Chidester, the sole female to complete the 3.2-kilometer jog-a-thon course in the allocated time, was the grade three female winner, and Zander Michaels took the boys decision.
On the long course, Persais Sasil was the girl winner for fourth grade, with Jude Martin getting the nod as the boy winner. Kahea Cummings was the girl winner for grade five, with Chase Batalucco, one of four boys finishing the 4-kilometer jog-a-thon, getting the boy winner crown. Amelia Robbins was the girl winner for grade six, with Josiah Martin earning the boy winner honor.
“Alaka‘i O Kaua‘i Charter School is hopeful to bring our first-ever track team to the mayor’s track meet in May,” Adams said, “if the event is able to take place.”
