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On Tuesday, April 25, 2006, at 1:15 p.m. Mountain Standard Time, it became official! The forty-one 5th grade students at Russell Elementary School became the first individual class in the United States to complete a virtual trek across America during one school year (3,200 miles, 15 states). They did it in 230 days (less than 8 months) and persevered through all types of weather, including below zero temperatures in December. The accomplishment equates to an average of 78 miles per child, or the equivalent of 3 marathons each! These kids did what many thought they couldn't, and they did it with both an individual and a team determination. Russell Elementary students of all ages, and teachers, lined the park pathway to cheer the 5th graders on as they completed their final lap of the park to virtually reach Cape Henlopen, near Lewes, Delaware. The class completed the journey as a group, crossing the line together while handmade banners were waved, cowbells rung, cheers lifted up, and silly string sprayed. It was an exciting moment as they realized their trek was finally finished. Click here to see some pictures!! We appreciate John Cummings, General Manager of Osco Drug, for donating Propel water for the kids to have after completing the journey! We also appreciate the Missoulian newspaper and KPAX Channel 8 television for being there! Click here for the local newspaper article.

As organizers, it's our hope that these kids will continue to take strides each day toward greater health and fitness. This project was simply one step in a lifetime of health choices that each will have to make. We have been encouraged by the change in attitude for some students regarding fitness, as well as the improvement in physical ability for others. These kids have been watched by people around the world as they have reached for this goal, and they have inspired many as a result. Now they have succeeded and will forever have this memory. It is an achievement that nobody will ever be able to take away from them, and certainly something for which they can be proud.

So, what now? Now that the 5th grade class has completed the trek, it is time for Paul Staso to deliver on the promise he made to the students on the first day of the school year. He told them that if either class can complete the virtual trek across America by the last day of the school year, that he would attempt to run their entire route for real during the summer of 2006. You can learn all of the details online about his P.A.C.E. Run 2006. The kids have been an inspiration to him and he plans on doing his very best to complete their route within 92 days. So, there is more ahead!

A special thank you... During the course of this trek we have extended our appreciation several times to certain people and businesses who have gone above and beyond to make certain that the Run/Walk Across America would be a success. With the celebration of the 5th grade class completing their journey across America, we want to thank a particular 5th grade student who endured this trek with her classmates - and who ultimately came up with this project idea back in June 2005 during a late-night talk with her dad. That person is Ashlin Staso, and although she prefers to stay out of the limelight and has simply enjoyed watching this endeavor unfold, she truly deserves recognition. It is ideas like this that truly impact our world in a positive way, and this 11-year-old has certainly done that!