Introduction to the Thermopylae 3K

Fitness Challenge 2012 “Thermopylae 3K”

As Fitness and Education becomes more important and relevant in our new global reality, it is important to motivate our students to be active and lead enriched lives.

At Valley Creek I organize a fitness and conditioning program on Tuesday and Thursday mornings (with outdoor boot camp days on some Fridays).  The goal of the program is to provide students with knowledge and an outlet to grow.  I don’t think that my school, program or students are unique.  In fact, I am hoping that as you read this you realize that you have students or programs at your school that are similar.

I have been thinking that it would be great to involve other like-minded schools in a large scale fitness challenge.  It would be school versus school.  The goal would be to have fun through competition and foster an interest in fitness for the future.

It would be set up similarly to the Mud Heroes or Spartan Race.  The race would be set up as a 3km run with 10 obstacles/fitness stations set up along the way.  The students would leave at staggered times and would have their start time recorded.  As they go through the challenge they are delayed by each of the stations.  Once they finish, they subtract their start time from their overall time and add it to their schools cumulative time.  The school with the lowest cumulative time wins.

Because not all schools will have the same number of participants, schools will find an average participant number and will take the fastest times.  So, a school with 20 participants will not have an advantage over a school group of 40.  The school with 40 will just use their 20 fastest times.

The plan is to run this event in the third week of May.  After the track season, but before exams begin.  It would be after school and would run for approx. 1.5 - 2 hours.  My goal is to get between 4-8 schools interested in this challenge.  There will be a trophy and hopefully prizes for participants.  I am still looking into some sponsors and donations for prizes and refreshments.

I hope that you are interested and motivated to participate.  I know that there are lots of questions and details to be worked out, and any input would be greatly valued.

I have a trophy in the works and the desire to see the best team win.  I have hopes that this will be a huge event with a lot of interest and love of sport generated.  Thanks for taking the time and I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,
Mike