News

Actions

First grader breaks school running record

Posted at 5:58 PM, May 22, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-22 20:03:34-04

At just 7-years-old, a local first-grader put so many miles on his running shoes that he broke his school's record.

Kids can choose to be a part of a running club at many elementaries.

The group is called the "Mileage Club" at Whittier Elementary in Boise.

Students, first through sixth grade, are challenged to log 100 miles throughout the school year. They kick off the challenge in the Fall and end in the Spring.

It's something that Noah Meyring was interested in.

"He came home and said, 'I want to do Mileage Club.' I thought that was great," says Monica Meyring, Noah's mother. "The first, I don't know, month or so he kind of ran off and on."

At some point, Noah was running during each recess, and he had a new goal of running 300 miles.

Without a track on school grounds, five trees are marked in a loop to equate a quarter of a mile.

"We go to number one and touch it, then we got to number two over there," Noah explains.

When the young runners reach the end, their card is punched and they receive a token.

At the end of the school year, the club members can use tokens to purchase goodies and toys.

With the tally complete for this year, Noah surpassed his goal by 28 miles.

"He runs every recess, and he broke it," Monica says. "He went 328, so, I'm really proud of him."

Noah's mother has participated in races in the past. She thinks that might be what inspired him.

Either way, it seems he has plans on sticking with it.

"I'm going to Alaska for the summer," Noah concludes. "So, next year, I'm going to go for 400 [miles]."