Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Monday, April 11, 2011

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The entire student body of Southern Middle School christened the new track, completing several laps to kick off the World Fit challenge.

Health and fitness are squarely in the forefront at Southern Middle School, where students will break in a brand new track this semester and join in the World Fit challenge to combat childhood obesity.

The 400-meter asphalt track, which is 7 feet wide, encircles the football field behind the school. Crews completed the construction during spring break.

“It’ll be a safe place to run and get accurate times in our events, and we can work on our exchange zones for passing the baton,” said track coach Sharon Beasley.

Previously, her athletes practiced in the front parking lot just off Wilson Downing Road or on the football field out back. P.E. classes also met on the grassy field.

“It’s bumpy and has big old divots. It’s either dusty or muddy,” said Angela Stark, who teaches physical education and wellness.

With the new track, the ground is more level and the surface friendlier in all kinds of weather, so individual students, classes, school staff and neighborhood residents will all benefit.

“It’ll be nice for our community to have a place to walk,” Stark said.

PTSA president Marianne Monk noted the school collected about $25,000 in the past two years through various donations and fundraisers, including the annual Southern Showcase and Silent Auction. Proceeds from the Lightning Strike 5K, set for April 16, should put them over the top and pay for striping of the lanes.

The first day back from spring break, Southern kids spilled out around the oval track as they kicked off the World Fit challenge, in which students walk 45 minutes a day for six weeks. Southern will be on an alternate, flexible schedule that allows for breaks in the school day, even during the state testing window.

In World Fit: Olympians for Worldwide Fitness, the idea is to encourage students to go outdoors and exercise on campus or in their neighborhoods. Friendly competition fuels the program as they set personal goals and tally their miles online.

Last spring, Beaumont and Winburn middle schools were part of the nationwide pilot; this year seven sites in Fayette County Public Schools are participating: Beaumont, Leestown, Lexington Traditional Magnet, Morton, SCAPA at Bluegrass, Southern Middle and Winburn.

Micki King, a gold medalist in springboard diving at the 1972 Olympic Games and the local organizer for World Fit, stopped by each school April 11 to help launch the challenge.

“We aren’t expecting you to be Olympic champions,” she said, citing the feat’s rarity. “We are expecting you to be healthy and fit and active outdoors.”

Accompanying King was Passion Richardson, a graduate of the University of Kentucky and a decorated track-and-field athlete. Recalling wins in the 100 and 200 in her first meet at age 10, Richardson encouraged students at Southern to cut back on the video games, dream big and practice hard.

“Some decisions you make today will impact you later in life,” she said.