Launches First Running Club

San Ildefonso Day School students laced up their sneakers on Mondays and Wednesdays after school to race across the Pueblo’s diverse landscapes. The new Running Club gives participants the chance to make friends, have fun, and form healthy habits.

From stretching and warm-ups to sprint relays and distance runs, the San Ildefonso Running Club became a favorite after-school activity. As an introduction to the future expectations of middle and high school athletics, the club teaches student runners the importance of commitment to meeting after-school, setting personal goals, and achieving team goals.

In its first year, the Running Club provided students with safe outdoor spaces to exercise and socialize between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. The idea was sparked by Special Education teacher Nicholas Korn and Principal Juliana Trujillo, who wanted to offer more extracurricular activities to their students.

“We are a small school,” Trujillo said. “Because of budget limitations, we don’t have the luxury of lots of extracurricular activities.”

Korn shared that the club is not simply about running laps. Students who may have never run before are being introduced to a sport they could continue through high school, leading to athletic and academic achievements.

“Just being part of the team can lead to opportunities for scholarships in college,” Korn said. “Running Club also provides bonds you can’t get in the academic classroom.”

Kindergarten through sixth grade students benefit from Korn’s extensive knowledge and experience with cross–country. He is a former collegiate runner and has participated in over 20 marathons and half-marathons.

“Mr. Korn shared his experience and gave the students opportunities they would not have had otherwise,” Trujillo said. “It just shows his commitment to our students and community.”

The response from families has been enthusiastic, with some parents joining their students. Parents also made sure San Ildefonso runners were unified like the other school teams by designing and producing custom T-shirts with the school’s logo.

With strong support from students, families, and staff, the Running Club is off to a fast start, and runners are set on crossing more finish lines in the future.