The running of the noses

St. Rita School in Alexandria held its annual 5K Fun Run and Walk for Education at Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria last Sunday on a beautiful mid-November day. A highlight of the day was the race for 8-year-olds and younger. It reminded me of when my son was very young and my wife and I took him to road races that I had entered. Occasionally he would run in the fun runs. My wife insisted he wear a balloon tied to his wrist so she could monitor his every step. I believe he agreed to wear it once, but then stood his ground refusing to budge when other children made disparaging remarks about his colorful running aid.

There were no balloons at last Sunday’s race, but plenty of kids jostling for position and then falling down after getting it. There were monitors along the short course to prevent anyone from running off and lots of parents shadowed their children for that little extra bit of parental encouragement.