Nearly every year, the Flathead Valley produces some of the best high school long-distance runners in the state. Many of them say they view running as a lifestyle, a passion. They say it’s fun and, of course, healthy.
And those are the same messages they’ll spread to younger kids at a twice-weekly program called Highlander Cross Country.
Jesse Rumsey, an assistant cross country coach at Flathead High School and an organizer of the program, said runners from Glacier and Flathead high schools will help teach elementary- and middle-school students the benefits of running at the Highlander Cross Country camp beginning on Sept. 7.
Rumsey will also serve as a coach at the camp – or “running club” – along with Paul Jorgensen, the head cross country coach at Flathead, and Jorgensen’s wife Jeannie. Lisa Perrin, the mother of Flathead High School distance star Zach Perrin, is helping organize the program.
“It’s to get kids interested in running in general,” Perrin said. “It’s about getting kids to get out and be healthy instead of sitting around and watching T.V.”
The program is in its second year and is an offshoot of Highlander Track Club, which has taken place every spring for years. Both camps are sponsored by Three Rivers Bank.
Last year, Rumsey said the club had about 45 participants. This fall, with the addition of seventh- and eight-graders, Rumsey is expecting more. The club is open to kids from kindergarten through eighth grade, and there is no cost for admission.
“After you get the first year under your belt you’ve got that to fall back on,” Rumsey said. “I hope we can increase the numbers for sure.”
Rumsey said organizers have “recognized the need for a stronger youth program in the valley, not just for running, but for overall fitness and health.” Teaming up with Three Rivers Bank is the natural step for creating such a program, she said.
“Highlander already has a name and reputation, so we thought it made sense to link it up with that,” Rumsey said. “So many kudos go to Three Rivers and John (King.)”
Twenty-two distance runners from Glacier and Flathead high schools helped out at last year’s program, Rumsey said. The high schoolers often show up after their own cross country practices, showing their dedication to the sport.
“The little kids think these teenagers are way cooler than us old adults,” Rumsey said. “They really respond well to them.”
Kids are welcome from anywhere in the region. Rumsey said the club is particularly a good opportunity for rural kids, who don’t often have these types of programs offered at their schools. And participants aren’t limited to cross country runners.
“We’re pretty realistic coaches – we understand that a lot of kids run cross country to get in shape for other sports,” Rumsey said.
Practices are held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.-6:15 p.m. at Woodland Park in Kalispell. Sessions start off with warm-ups, followed by discussion over a different health topic: nutrition, water intake, stretching, injuries and more.
Then the coaches get the kids running through a variety of games, depending on the kids’ ages. Participants may play tag or capture the flag or embark on a scavenger hunt.
“We’ll get them running for as long as they can,” Rumsey said. “Ultimately we’re just trying to get kids to have fun with running.”
Sign-up is on the first day of practice at 5:15 p.m. on Sept. 7. Kids also participate in a race after the Flathead Invite on Sept. 11 and another race after the Glacier Invite on Oct. 14, when the program ends. For more information, call Lisa Perrin at (406) 844-3290.