Adults are always looking for ways for children to burn off energy. Oak Harbor Intermediate and the local elementary schools provide such an opportunity.

Hundreds of students are joining the cross country program offered by the schools, according to Justin Ronning, physical education instructor at Oak Harbor Intermediate School.

Cross country was started seven years ago as a spring sport to replace softball, which was declining in popularity, according to Ronning.

Soccer is offered in the spring and volleyball in the winter.

Capture the cone (similar to capture the flag) will be added next year, according to Crescent Harbor physical education teacher Craig Nurvic.

Ronning and several other elementary PE teachers offered running clubs at their schools and “saw a huge interest in cross country, so we decided to switch from softball to cross country,” he said. “We traditionally get big enrollments at each school.”

Nurvic sees cross country, and the other offerings, as a way for the children and parents to connect with the school.

“The variety of activities allows the kids to try out different sports to see what they like,” Nurvic said. “It allows kids to have something that they can do at school and have parents come support.”

Cross country averages about 140 participants at Oak Harbor Elementary each year, according to physical education teacher Holly Troyer.

“I think all of the after-school activities that we offer to the kids are important because it gives them a chance to try new things without a big commitment and gives them a chance to learn what it is they like to do and are good at,” Troyer said.

Cross country also provides an avenue for the kids to challenge themselves, Troyer added.

“They are so excited to report back each week that they improved their time from the previous week,” she said. “Running is something that isn’t easy for most people, and if they can learn to endure at such a young age, I believe it can be very character-building. I’ve had 5-minute mile runners and 14-minute mile runners, and I am proud of each one because of their dedication and their ability to persevere.”

Ronning sees the cross country and other programs as a way to help the children “find a love and passion” for an activity.

He also hopes the students move on to compete in middle school and high school athletics.

“Ultimately, we just want kids to be physically active and to also enjoy being active,” Ronning said.

The runners practiced twice a week until the meets started, then they practiced on Tuesdays and ran in meets on Thursdays.

The season concluded when all the local schools met for a meet at Fort Nugent Park Thursday, May 17.

Crescent Harbor fourth-grader Raymond Matlack, bottom left, runs with the pack at Fort Nugent Park. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)

Broad View’s Ayla Woodworth (blue) and Oak Harbor Elementary’s KaDee Snyder (purple shorts) are the early leaders in the girls race. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)

Oak Harbor Elementary’s Gabriella Lavolpa, far left, and Hillcrest’s Aleera Kent, cap, lead a group around the first turn. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)

Crescent Harbor third-graders Sheldon Zabel, left, and Adam Garcia head down the path at Fort Nugent. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)

Caleb Zarraonandia (flag shirt) jogs through the woods in Thurday’s race. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)

Girls sprint to the finish in last week’s race at Fort Nugent Park. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)

Oak Harbor Intermediate’s Landon Vandergrifft leads Addisen Boyer (blue shirt) and Jazmin Hernandez. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)

Broad View’s Amiya Danielson gets a well-deserved squeeze after finishing the race. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)

After the race, it was time to rest. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)