GREENSBORO, N.C. — On Monday, April 17, students at Jefferson Elementary School were given running sneakers from Go Far and Fleet Feet thanks to a grant application submitted by the school's gym coach.

What you need to know:

  • Three-hundred sneakers were handed out last week to students from the Go Far-Fleet Feet Lace Up Program
  • The students are in the Go Far after-school program that teaches students how to be fit, set goals and train for a 5k race 
  • The 5k race is May 6 in High Point

Go Far is a nonprofit that helps children fight against childhood obesity and also teaches students how to train for a 5k run. 

“I wanna like, try to get better with running because I ride my bike a lot, and I know that riding your bike involves your legs more than your arms, so I want to get better at that,” Braylon Strang said. 

However, these sneakers wouldn’t have been possible without the school's gym teacher, Christopher Hewitt. 

Hewitt had applied for a grant from the Go Far-Fleet Feet Lace Up Program, and it was accepted. 

“I figured, if we can get this grant and get them some new shoes, that they may enjoy running more,” Hewitt said. “I’ve also learned that the new shoes motivate some of the kids to be excited about running.”

The students practice twice a week, and Hewitt runs alongside them.

“I wanna make sure that they understand, if I expect them to do it, then I’m going to do it too, and honestly, I don’t like standing around too much," he said.

Students say running alongside Hewitt, and their other teachers, makes their practice more fun. 

After practice, the students are typically tired but get a snack to take home. Some say they are still nervous about the 5k, because they know it will be longer than their practice.

The 5k race is May 6 in High Point. Tickets are on sale for participants, and the students will be training up until the time of the race.