ABOVE: From left to right: Braelynn Bovy, Qwynn Healey, Jaycie Grensteiner, Lila Klunder, Julia Reyelts and Hannah Kate Larson participate in warm-ups at the Jr. Cardinal’s cross country practice earlier this week. Submitted photo.
FAIRMONT – The Fairmont Jr. Cardinals cross country program, run in partnership with Fairmont Community Education and Recreation, has entered its second year of promoting and introducing the sport to fourth through sixth graders by adding fun and games to their one-mile runs.
With 26 runners participating this year, interest in the program has increased.
The program was created by Crystal and Neil Hanson to give younger children the opportunity to play the sport they have loved all their lives. Neil Hanson still holds the one- and two-mile records at Fairmont High School 25 years after graduating.
“We just wanted to find a way to introduce younger kids to cross-country. There is nothing like that in our area,” Said Crystal Hanson. “Cross-country is just a big part of our lives and all three of our kids are in the high school program. We wanted to find a way to change that and give the kids that opportunity and get them started in cross-country.”
The partnership with CER has been critical to the success of the program. CER handles registration and promotion of the program.
“I don’t think we could have done it without her, because it was a really nice
partnership with them,” said Crystal Hanson.
The idea for the program came from two friends of the Hansons who run a similar program.
“Two of our really good friends in the Twin Cities are running such a program up there,” Said Crystal Hanson. “So we were able to learn from them how they structure it and what works. So we didn’t have to reinvent the wheel.”
Cross country is often not open to students until seventh grade, which impacts participation in the sport itself. This program aims to change that and break down the mental blocks to participation by making it fun for children by incorporating games into the races.
“It’s not always about being the best runner,” Said Crystal Hanson. “Regardless of their ability level, we want them to strive to be the best version of themselves and fight against that little voice inside them that wants to tell them to quit. We try to encourage kids to change their negative self-talk that can creep in because their mind will shut them down long before their body does. If they can change that self-talk from ‘can’t’ to ‘can do’, they’re in the best position for success. Watching that is probably what I love most about this sport.”
The Hansons hope the program will act as a link to the high school program, and they hope it will help the sport continue to grow and attract more athletes to the sport who may have otherwise overlooked cross country because it is not offered as early as many other sports.
“Ultimately, we hope that we have opened the kids’ eyes to the sport and that more of them will think about joining their high school’s cross country team in seventh grade,” Crystal Hanson said, “Even if that’s not the case, we hope they can take something positive from our program that will make them stronger and better prepared for their other sports.”
“Ultimately, we want kids to live an active lifestyle and keep challenging themselves. That’s the only way we can grow and get better. Long-distance running can teach you many life lessons and you shouldn’t take the easy way out.”
Their first race is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. at the Fairmont High School practice field before the high school cross country meet.
