Southside Elementary recently hosted its fourth annual Back-to-School Fun Run and 5K. The proceeds from these two colorful runs benefitted the Fine Arts at Southside. The evening also consisted of music, food, face painting, and inflatable obstacle courses. To add more excitement to this already exceptional evening, we were able to welcome a special guest to the event; students nicknamed our guest, “Marvelous Marvin,” for good reason.
Marvin Clarke traveled from his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Versailles, Kentucky, in order to run Southside’s 5K. Mr. Clarke’s participation in this race is due to an impressive goal he has set for himself: to run a charity race in each state. Kentucky became the 18th state to check off his list, with races in Tennessee and Illinois occuring in the same weekend.
Marvin, a social worker and therapist, began running in order “to form a therapeutic rapport with a depressed patient.” This patient had been a runner previously and decided he wanted to train for an upcoming race. The two began training together as therapy for the patient, but now running is a form of therapy for Marvin. He had the following to say about the restorative benefits of running:
“Running gives me the opportunity to stop worrying about work and home stressors. When I'm running, my only focus is on my breathing and taking the next step. After I finish a run, I feel accomplished, even if it's just a one mile run. Every day after work, I like to decompress with 60 minutes of cross training in the gym. This is my ‘self care’ time when I can clear my mind and build my body. I continue to be amazed at my growth as I become stronger and faster.”
In Woodford County Public Schools, we aim to provide our students with opportunities every day to develop a love of physical activity and a knowledge of its benefits, just like Marvin. Chavi Muniz, Physical Education teacher at Southside, said, “I think [physical education] is just as important as math and reading. You need to know how to keep your body healthy your entire life...We want our students to have long, healthy lives.” The P.E. teachers in our district maintain effective communication with one another to ensure that students receive the optimal instruction in physical education. Mr. Muniz said, “We plan accordingly [with one another] so that when students graduate, they have a very linear curriculum.” In our elementary schools, students learn the basics of physical education and health. The curriculum progresses each year with more depth.
P.E. classes teach students structure, good sportsmanship, and the importance of teamwork. Marvin added, “I think physical exercise is especially important in schools because it is an opportunity for children to learn healthy coping skills. Exercising and training can also teach students time management skills, build confidence, and encourage them to live a healthier lifestyle.” Though these lessons are instilled at a young age, they remain relevant and vital throughout adulthood.
Marvin’s knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm certainly resonated with our students. He had a fan club cheering him on as he crossed the finish line at Southside and came one step closer to his goal. Thank you for supporting our students and for sharing your story with us, Marvelous Marvin!
To celebrate Mr. Clarke as he checks more states and races off of his list, you can follow him on Instagram (@mcl1155).
