Running for the fun of it

Published: July 12, 2008

By TROY SHOCKLEY

Of the News-Register

Competition is fine. It's great, in fact. But Amity cross country coach Ken McChesney wanted to bring the community something different this summer. The result: The Amity Summer Fitness Series.

"It's been very rewarding," McChesney said of the event, taking place every Tuesday night at Amity Elementary School.

"Last year we did a running camp, but that was only for kids through high school age. The Summer Fitness Series, though, is for anyone 6 and up, and we've had a great turnout so far with people from every age group out there.

"I think that the reason I like this idea is that there are so many competitive races out there. Our goal is to give people a chance to focus on fitness and coming together as a community."

The overriding idea behind the series, which started two weeks ago, is self improvement. Participants are able to walk or run a half-mile or one-mile course every week; also available are runs of two miles and the Amity Hill Challenge, a 3 1/2-mile course. Runners or walkers who bring their times down or increase their participation distance during the series will be awarded ribbons and, with enough improvement, medals.

The initial idea was McChesney's, but once he brought it up to his team, they were the ones who made it happen.

"I like the chance to get away from competition," McChesney said. "The only competition in this is personal improvement. And, after I suggested it to the team, the kids really fine-tuned it. The cross country team is where the credit for this should really go."

The coach said a rotating system was set up so that team members didn't have to work the event every week. But, as it turns out, that system hasn't been followed too well.

"They all show up every week anyway," he said. "They're really enjoying it and they've done a great job. The fact that these kids are good runners is secondary to how neat a group of kids they are."

Several area businesses have donated food for the events. Individuals helping with the series have been Sandy McKee, Glynn Pennington and Chrissy Worthington.

Roughly two dozen participants have taken part in the event each of its first two nights and, on opening night, seven took on the Amity Hill Challenge. Finishing first was 75-year-old Bennett Wight. The second to cross the finish line on the longest run offered was 8. A third runner to tackle the course was well-respected Amity resident Arvey Nelson, also in his 70s.

Last week, McChesney said, five people improved their times and there were many others keeping a close eye on the clock, tracking their results. Some, he added, were a little frustrated with themselves for not bettering their time. And for anyone wanting to join them, there's still time. Four weeks remain in the series.

The cost for the entire series is $30 (which includes a series t-shirt) and to enter a single night the cost is $3.

Registration begins at 6 p.m. with all of the events starting at 6:30.