Harvest runners at Sauk Trail

Fourth- and fifth-graders ran like the wind -- no doubt with a slight assist from the remnants of Superstorm Sandy -- on Halloween afternoon at Sauk Trail's annual Harvest Run.

The half-mile course began at a clearing near a woods behind the school and followed a trail through a thick layer of crunchy oak leaves winding around school grounds.

Teachers, staff, retired staff, and parents joined in the run on the brisk fall afternoon.

“The event is part of our theme that running is great fun,” physical education teacher Justin Haack said. “The younger kids see the runners and get excited about running and look forward to when they can participate.”

A cheering crowd of students, staff, and teachers greeted the racers as they rounded a corner heading to the finish line.

Joining the Harvest Run is voluntary. Haack estimates that 90 percent of the students in fourth and fifth grade  participate.

“It's much more fun to run outside than it is in the gym and our kids have a great time with it,” he said.  “The best part is near the end, when everybody high-fives each other as they come through to the finish line.”

-- By Tom Kobinsky