Four FLASHP school districts had people lacing up their running or walking shoes to participate in 5Ks during the late spring and early summer.

Some of the races raised money for local causes.

One featured participants enjoying munchies during the race.

All delivered.

Dansville

Kim Derrenbacher’s last duty as wellness coordinator for Dansville Central School District was one she will long remember: The inaugural Mustang March.

Held on an unseasonably warm May 21, the event was a hit.

“It was the first time in two years we were able to do something that wasn’t virtual or in tiny groups,” Derrenbacher says, referring to the measures taken during 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We wanted to get together to have a social event for our staff, but also to show the community that we’re back.”

Seventy-five people participated.

“I was hoping we’d get 35 or 40,” she says. “It was really well attended. And, had it not been so hot that day, I think we would’ve had a few more. We might have had 100.”

There were serious runners, those who brought their entire families, and parents pushing strollers on the route through Dansville.

Derrenbacher ran in the event but bowed out early.

“I did OK, although I cut it short because one of our local, alumni-owned bakeries had made chocolate chip muffins for us,” she says.

An employee appreciation picnic was held after the March, and Derrenbacher wanted to get the muffins to the picnic before the chocolate chips melted.

Gift certificates valued at $25 for several area restaurants went to people picked at random.

Derrenbacher says the goal of reaching out to the community was attained.

“When I was walking down Main Street people were driving by honking,” she says. “We just wanted to get together as a school community.”

Wellness coordinators Katie Bancroft and Emily Wolf plan to bring an encore Mustang March in 2023, Derrenbacher says.

Keshequa

Todd Isaman, a physical education teacher at Keshequa School and the district’s wellness coordinator, says there was a twist to one of the 5Ks in which Keshequa staff participated.

Aside from the usual run and walk, there was the Eat-N-Run/Walk, held in conjunction with the Be Well In Nunda 5K on July 9.

“We had different stations,” he says. “Something they have to try and finish before they move on to the next one. It’s more of a fun style than a super-serious 5K.

“The idea was thrown around and everyone said, ‘yeah, sounds like fun.’ It’s nothing big or heavy, but we wanted to try different drinks and foods at four different spots along the route.”

Treats on the route included flavored sparkling water, fruit-infused water, trail mix and frozen fruit. Sixty-six people participated.

“We have a program in Keshequa called Be Well in Nunda,” Isaman says. “It supports the local community, and we do lots of events and different things to help our community.”

The proceeds from this fundraiser will used for future programs, he adds.

Seventy-five people participated in the 5K Rocky-Raccoon Run, presented by the Nunda Kiwanis Club and held during Nunda Fundays Weekend in June.

Bloomfield

Bloomfield Central School District was part of a global event: The JP Morgan Corporate Challenge held June 14 in Rochester.

Michelle Baker, who teaches first grade at Bloomfield Elementary and is the district’s wellness coordinator, says employees have participated in the challenge going back several years.

“But this is our first time back since Covid,” Baker says. “Last year was a virtual event and they didn’t have it in 2020. So, we’re back.”

The loop run began at Frontier Field and traveled through downtown Rochester.

The four participants from Bloomfield were Baker, kindergarten teacher Carrie Wilson, high school psychologist Jon Grasso and elementary school psychologist Jenn Schroeder. They had a lot of fun as bands played on the route, which is flat and not overly demanding.

“It was fun just getting together,” Baker says. “It was fun running together. It was pretty warm, but it’s been monsoon other years and it wasn’t super-hot.”

Wayne

Monica Bays, who is Michelle Baker’s twin sister, has something in common with her sibling besides DNA and chairing the FLASHP Wellness Committee.

Four people from Wayne Central School District took part in the Stroll for Strong Kids and 5K, held June 4 in Rochester.

The event benefits Strong Hospital’s Golisano Children’s Hospital.

Bays was itching to run but was sidelined by a leg injury.

The four who participate were middle school teachers aide Kathy Cook, elementary school teachers Tina Pratt and Holly Carroll, and Carroll’s husband Ron.

“They did it virtually, which was kind of nice because they could do it on their own time,” Bays says. “We did the best that we could.

“It’s just another opportunity to get together with colleagues, in line with our health and wellness mission.”