Madison, Madison County Record, News, Schools, Z - News Main
 By  GreggParker Published 
10:18 am Friday, January 5, 2018

Heritage Track Team sprints, runs obstacles

MADISON – The Track Team at Heritage Elementary School introduces members to a healthy lifestyle and opportunities to showcase their agility.

During the 2016-2017 school year, Heritage organized its first running club, the Ram Runners, and continued to sponsor the club during “Leader in Me” clubs on Fridays this school year.

“I saw a huge excitement of enthusiastic runners who wanted to do more than just run laps on the track and participate in one or two races a year. That gave Miranda Biggers and me an idea to start the track team this year,” co-sponsor Heather Kell said.

“Also, students (can) belong to a team that is highly motivated and share the same goals,” Kell said.

On Wednesdays, Heritage Track Team meets on the school’s track. After warmups, they break into two groups to work on different aspects of track activities. “For example, Group 1 will work with Mrs. Biggers and Nurse Bryan on pacing for middle or long distance on the track. Group 2 will work with me on endurance by running an obstacle course (jogging, high skips, butt kicks and sprinting)” on grass at the track, Kell said.

At their first two practices, students ran 100-meter and 400-meter time trails, which showed standouts in sprinting and middle distance. Students also realized their preferred activities.

Each practice ends with a one-mile run for everyone.

The gender breakdown for the team’s 37 runners is 15 girls and 22 boys, with about nine to 10 runners in grades 3-6.

“The runners are thrilled to be part of the team. They will run into me in the halls and ask, ‘Ms. Kell, is today track team practice?’ … ‘I’ve been running at home, too.’ … ‘My goal is to beat my time from the Cookie Dash 5K last year.’ … ‘I love the new track team shirts,'” Kell said.

Kell and Biggers have asked for approval to practice on Bradford Greenway adjacent to Heritage.

Heritage’s enthusiastic parents are willing to help in any way. “They’re just thrilled their child is part of the track team,” Kell said.

One father, who ran track at the University of Alabama, is excited to see his son on the team. “The father’s track record still (stands) today. He hopes his son will continue running once he gets to Liberty Middle School,” Kell said.

Also on The Madison Record
Space Command relocation to Huntsville to bring area growth
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
HUNTSVILLE — Officials expect at least 1,400 jobs to be directly added to the north Alabama area with the U.S. Space Command Headquarters permanently ...
Newly elected Madison mayor to depart US Chess role
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Ranae Bartlett was named US Chess Executive Director in 2024
By JOHN HARTMANN US Chess Press 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - It is said that no one can serve two masters. And so US Chess Executive Director Ranae Bartlett is trading Caïssa for the people of Madison,...
Triana Fire Department train for medical helicopter operation
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
TRIANA – Firefighters who work in Triana Fire Department recently accomplished a new milestone in their training to serve and protect their town. On-s...
Itty Bitty Bakers sweetens the community with classes
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By KADIE TAYLOR news@themadisonrecord.com 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Sweeten your day, Itty Bitty Bakers offers baking classes for locals, from 18 months to adults. Itty Bitty Bakers owner Kayla Johnson has be...
Madison Visionary Partners to host Gather Madison, volunteers needed
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
EVENTS
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – In its premiere in 2025, the Gather Madison event will unite residents of all backgrounds at one long table for a free, shared meal in the s...
Kids to Love to go “Over the Edge” for children in foster care Sept. 19-20
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Bold, compassionate individuals will be going “Over the Edge” for Kids to Love during a thrilling two-day fundraiser where participants rapp...
The Madison Street Festival is less than a month away
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – The first Saturday in October. That’s the day Madison residents turn out to visit with friends and neighbors, promote school groups, shop fo...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *