This revised press release was sent to the media today.  Please forward this press release to your parents and post on your website.  The same pictures from Prairie Vale's running club were resent as well.  The Creek Classic is a PTO Fundraiser, therefore, we are not able to use the schools media permission forms.  We are required to have a PTO media release form signed by the parents.  Unfortunately, we don't have time to get media release permission slips signed by the running club parents to include pictures of all the clubs this year.  Next year we recommend a media release permission be included on each running clubs registration so pictures can be included from the four clubs.

EDMOND/OKLAHOMA CITY, FEBRUARY 23, 2010 - Four running clubs in Deer Creek Elementary schools were established to promote a healthy lifestyle as well as raise money for the Deer Creek school district.  These running clubs are offered for 3rd-5th grades and meet weekly.  Their focus is stretching, pacing, nutrition, stamina, setting and meeting goals.  

Deer Creek Rose Union’s Elementary Running Club was started by P.E. Coach Keri McAlvain.  They now have 95 students participating!  “My main goal is having students understand “lifetime fitness”.  I want them to enjoy the race and know this is a sport they can do for a lifetime.”, says Coach McAlvain.  They have 18 students running the 10K and 78 running the 5K.  Their club t-shirts say, “run like you’re avoiding the cooties!”.  

Deer Creek Grove Valley's running club has 35  fourth and fifth grade student runners that meet twice a week for 45 minutes each.  They have received a grant from ING Financial Company to host their running club.  They will participate in the Creek Classic and the OKC Memorial Kids run on April 25th. 

Deer Creek Prairie Vale Elementary has 56 students runners. Coach Riden, Deer Creek High School Cross Country Coach, and his track team have volunteered their time to participate in Prairie Vale Elementary’s running club to help motivate and mentor the elementary runners.   “My kids (HS cross country runners) have enjoyed their time with the elementary kids so much, and they take this commitment and their roles as mentors very seriously.”, says Coach Riden.

Deer Creek Elementary has 36 students participating in their running club.  They voted to call themselves the “Tigers”.  Their goal is health and fitness and they encourage the students to have a running partner especially on race day.

All the running club student members are registered in the Creek Classic run as part of their club fees.  All the proceeds from the Creek Classic run will be distributed to all six schools in the Deer Creek school district. In the past, proceeds from this race have been used to purchase SMART Boards for classrooms, technology equipment, and a wide variety of resource materials for both classrooms and media centers.  

A record 1,300 runners are expected to participate in the 14th Annual Creek Classic held Saturday, March 6th, 2010.  The Creek Classic is one of the most anticipated races of the spring and again will be the 2nd Jewel Race in the Triple Crown of March Racing.   

The upcoming race will have many improvements; new USATF certified and measured 10K and 5K race courses, the one- mile run/walk is now certified (timed)  allowing students and families to track their progress each year, and finisher ribbons will be given to runners 13 years and under. 

Entry fees are $20 per person or $65 for a family of five.  Discounts are provided for Deer Creek students and teachers as well as military personnel.  Your entry fee includes a high quality t-shirt, pancake breakfast hosted by the DC Track Booster Club and a disposable timing chip, which can be kept as a souvenir.  The pancake breakfast may also be purchased for $5 per person for those not running.

Registration is now open!  Register today on-line at http://www.deercreekclassic.com to lock in these low race fees.   Race Day entry and packet pick-up will begin at 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning at the Deer Creek High School.  Runners of all ages and experiences are welcome!