The Washougal Schools Foundation’s ninth annual Student Stride for Education (The Stride) all-student fun run and 5K run/walk will be held at the Washougal High School stadium and the surrounding area on Saturday, May 19, 2012. Proceeds raised will fund teacher grants and student scholarships distributed by the Washougal Schools Foundation (WSF).
The WSF is proud to have Dave and Tom Stinchfield of Discovery Dental in Washougal as the Title Sponsor for the 2012 event. "We are grateful for the opportunity to be the title sponsor of The Stride for a third year,” said Tom Stinchfield, D.D.S. “Discovery Dental is dedicated to serving within our community to support the great team of leaders and selfless volunteers that make this worthy event happen each year.”
Runners of all ages throughout Clark County are invited to participate in The Stride. Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students will run a 1.5K course. The 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students will run a 2K. Middle and high school students and adults will take part in the 5K run or walk or as volunteers. The final heat of the day is The Dash, a special race for the pre-kindy crowd, just one lap around the track. The Stride kicks off at 8:00 a.m. with the 5K run and walk and then individual grade-level heats follow starting at 9:00 a.m. and ending around noon.
“The Stride has become a mainstay in our community,” said Stephanie Eakins, Stride Event Director. “The magic of the event is that it not only promotes Washougal Schools, but it promotes the well-being of the community.”
Each year The Stride event features a unique logo created through a contest among Washougal art students. This year the contest was open to middle school students. Dozens of creative designs were submitted. The winning 2012 event logo was created by Jemtegaard Middle School 7th grader, Tessa Walcott, and features a happy running Stride Cat with a Stride banner above him.
“We expect between 500-600 students, teachers and community members to register for The Stride,” said Eakins. “If you have never been to the event we really encourage you to sign up or at least come down and see it. It is so heartwarming to watch these kids cross the finish line with such a sense of accomplishment.”
The Stinchfields were drawn to the event years ago. "My immediate and extended family has participated in The Stride for the last six years,” said Dave Stinchfield, D.D.S. “Our passion for physical fitness and running, combined with our passion for our community, education and children, compelled us to throw our full support towards the annual Stride.”
The Stinchfield brothers enjoy running so much that they have added a little fun and friendly competition to The Stride’s 5K. The doctors are challenging participants to beat them across the finish line. Everyone who is able to “Beat the Docs” will get a special award from Discovery Dental. The two will be easy to spot with targets on the backs of their shirts. “I have been so anxious to be a part of this great event,” said Tom Stinchfield, who recently joined his brother in the business and moved his family to the Washougal community. “Running is a huge part of our lives. My wife, Tracey, and I can frequently be seen running the streets of Washougal in the early morning hours. We are excited to have our kids be a part of this great event too.” More information on the “Beat the Docs” competition and a map of the 5K course can be found at www.discoverydentistry.com
Sponsors joining Discovery Dental in support of WSF as of April 3 are Watercare Industrial Services, Waste Connections, Sodexo School Services, Corwin Beverage Company, Washougal School District, City of Washougal. According to Eakins, The Stride is also pleased to make its medal and t-shirt purchases locally with new Stride sponsor, Glory Days. “We depend on our sponsors as well as donations from local businesses and families for the fund raising component of the event,” Roger Daniels, WSF Fund Raising Chair explained. “The Foundation does not profit from runner fees.”
Registration remains just $10 for all runs. The fee covers race costs and provides each runner with a commemorative t-shirt, race-day medal and finish line refreshments. Deadline to guarantee a race shirt is April 26. Runners can still register up to and including race day, but for best chance to get a shirt, they should register in advance. If runners would like to have their name listed on the back of the shirt with other donors, they can donate $10 per name. Deadline for those donations is also April 26. Registration forms are available at all Washougal schools and their websites, Discovery Dental and at www.washougalschoolsfoundation.org or www.discoverydentistry.com
For more information on the Washougal Schools Foundation or The Stride contact Eakins at 360-513-0525 or visit the WSF website.
For more information on the Washougal Schools Foundation or The Stride contact Eakins at 360-513-0525 or visit the WSF website.
