Walt Clark Middle School wins McKee’s Turkey Trot challenge

LOVELAND, Colo. (Dec. 3, 2009) – Students at Walt Clark Middle School will benefit from a $250 grant the school received after winning the McKee Medical Center Foundation’s Turkey Trot Middle School Challenge.

The middle school that had the most representatives to participate in the Thanksgiving Day 5k race/walk at McKee Medical Center was promised the $250 grant. Fifty-eight Walt Clark students, faculty and family members participated in the race this year.

Janette McCahan, instructional coach for Walt Clark, said the grant provides a great base for the school’s new health and wellness committee.

“We want to do walk to school days and other activities and we just don’t have the money for prizes for those events,” she said. “We’re excited to have something to work with.”

McCahan, who is a former physical education teacher and leads the health and wellness committee, said the Turkey Trot was a perfect fit for that new committee. The race provides a way for families to connect socially and also get exercise before they eat a lot on the holiday. She said the Turkey Trot gained awareness in the school, and she thinks they will have even more participants next year.

The Turkey Trot hit a record this year with 1,650 registered participants. The race raised more than $34,000 to benefit the Banner Simulation System at McKee Medical Center.