On Saturday October 12th, the Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation hosted the first-ever Bruin 8K and Fun Run. Although the event was open to the public, among the 450 participants, approximately 200 were Bartlesville Public Schools (BPS) administrators, teachers, and staff, 110 were fifth graders from Bruins on the Run, and 65 were Bartlesville students of other ages. It not only promoted health and wellness, but also fostered school spirit and community engagement. Proceeds of the event benefit the Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation and Bruins on the Run, a no cost, after school running and mentoring program for fifth graders.
The 8K course started and ended at Madison Middle School and took runners on a journey through neighborhoods, around Sooner Park, along the Pathfinder Parkway, past Hoover Elementary, and returning to Madison. Participants were encouraged throughout the race by Bartlesville Public School Foundation board members and fueled by several water and snack stations hosted by parent support groups from each of the District’s six elementary schools. Due to easy access along the route, family, friends, and other fans could cheer on their favorite runners at several points, creating an electric atmosphere of encouragement and enthusiasm.
Highlights from the event included:
- “BPS Employee Wellness Challenge” – Superintendent Chuck McCauley’s challenge to staff within the District to have the most employees at a given school participating in the race
- “Beat the Supt” Recognition – highlighting the 11 students who beat their Superintendent in the 8K run;
- “Pass the Principal” – recognizing our younger students who passed their principals walking and running in the Fun Run; and
- The Bruin Spirit Wear Contest – celebrating students who showed the most Bruin Spirit.
This year’s race was created out of necessity. In past years, BPS has participated in the Woolaroc 8K in mid-October, both as the focal point of the Superintendent’s Employee Wellness Challenge and as a season finale race for its fifth grade running program, Bruins on the Run. This year, unfortunately, the District’s Fall Break conflicted with the Woolaroc run, causing BPS to consider hosting its own race.
Through Superintendent McCauley’s Employee Wellness Challenge, he and his wife, Jennifer, sponsor the 8K at a level that allows BPS staff to participate for the cost of a shirt; and the McCauleys challenge individual schools to get as many staff as possible to register for the race. (Wilson Elementary won the challenge the past six years, and won again this year at the Bruin 8K with 52 staff registered.) “It is important for our staff and students to prioritize their health. Jennifer and I are grateful for the opportunity to support our Bruin family as they invest in their physical and mental wellness,” said Superintendent McCauley.
Bruins on the Run is an after school running and mentoring program for fifth graders funded by the Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation. Students run after school with their volunteer, teacher mentors during the fall with their season culminating in the 8K Race. The program targets students who are not otherwise involved in extracurricular activities, although all students are invited to apply. The Foundation covers the cost of top of the line running shoes, race registrations, t-shirts and snacks. This year, the Bruin 8K and Fun Run raised funds to benefit this unique program.
Sponsors for the race included “Leaders of the Pack,” Chuck McCauley and his wife, Jennifer and the Truity Education Foundation; the “Bruin Benefactor” sponsor was Manhattan Construction Company; the “Paw Pacesetters” included Arvest, QuikTrip, Cleats For Kids, and Truity Credit Union; and the race’s “Cub Club” sponsors were the PlayforBurk Foundation, ABB, Bartlesville Sports Commission, Grand Lake Mental Health, and Walmart.
Beyond the official race sponsors, many community members and groups offered crucial support including the Bartlesville Police Department and BPS School Resource Officers, the City of Bartlesville, BPS nurses, elementary parent teacher organizations, student athletes like Bartlesville Cross Country and Bartlesville Cheer, and over 50 individual volunteers, including BPS staff, Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation board members, and race committee members.
“It was humbling and inspiring to see our community come together to promote health and physical fitness and support Bartlesville Public Schools. Everyone involved played a key role in making this event a success,” reflected Blair Ellis, Executive Director of the Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation.
“The event was a great way to promote physical fitness, school pride, and collaboration among our students, staff and community. It was a great day to be a Bruin!” shared Superintendent Chuck McCauley. The success of the race highlights Bartlesville Public Schools’ commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles and building a strong school community. The race committee is considering plans for next year.
For more information on the Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation, the Bruin 8K, or Bruins on the Run, visit: bpsfoundation.org or reach out to Blair Ellis at 918-336-8600, ext 3523.