Record number for Spud Run
More than 550 youth participate in seventh annual event
The next generation of Prince Edward Island runners turned out in record numbers Saturday morning for the Kids Spud Run.
“This event is just the best,” race director Myrtle Jenkins- Smith said following the run at the UPEI Alumni Canada Games Track. “Just look at the smiles on these kids’ faces. It’s just awesome.”
More than 550 children participated in the seventh annual event, which continues to grow annually.
“We started the first year with seven kids,” Jenkins- Smith said. “It’s really truly amazing.”
The older kids, aged six to 14, did two laps around the track while the younger children ran one lap.
“I like to run a lot. It’s really fun,” said Kailyn Sherren.
The 11- year- old from Sherwood is training for a five- kilometre run in November. She used Saturday’s run as a warm- up. While the sun was out it was still a cool fall morning.
“It was kind of cold, but I got warm as I kept on running,” she said.
Kailyn’s brother Jack Sherren, 8, also took part in the run. He likes to run to keep in shape for hockey.
The event is for fun with all participants receiving a certificate.
“It’s truly a wonderful kickoff to the weekend,” Jenkins- Smith said.
She said there are some kids who ran the spud run in its first years now running the five- and 10- kilometres runs.