12-05-2025
Putnam Heights students fundraise for PE equipment at student Fun Run
EAU CLAIRE — During Putnam Heights Elementary School's first ever fun run, students were able to see how doing laps around the school can turn into a fundraiser.
Ben Wieker, physical education teacher at Putnam Heights Elementary, said a warm-up run has been a big addition to their school's physical education classes this year.
'Running has been a big part of my life growing up a cross-country and track runner — and some marathon stuff too — and it is just a passion I wanted to share with my students,' he said. 'I started doing three or four minute jogs at every gym class from kindergarten up through fifth grade which we have done most of the year, and we just wanted a culminating activity to enjoy the weather out here and make a little bit of a fundraiser on the side to hopefully purchase some roller blades and add some helmets next year.'
Their fundraiser aims for $8,000 to cover the costs of PE items and storage.
The event which took place throughout the whole day on Friday involved nearly all grades, with Wieker estimating that at least 400 of the school's 450 students would take part in the run.
Each lap around the school was approximately half a mile. Students could try for as many laps as they wanted during a 30 minute period, with the fundraiser encouraging kids to do as many laps as they could.
'We pushed out some messaging to our families to share with grandparents, parents, and neighbors if they like,' Wieker said. 'They have two choices if they want to participate: they could do a pledged amount per lap that they run, as we are tracking the laps today; or they could do a set amount. But no barriers; all students could participate whether they fundraised or not.'
Wieker said a big philosophy of his is to not focus on competition as much, but rather expose kids to all the different sports and activities.
But there was a little encouragement to those willing to go above and beyond. All the grades also had opportunities to plant a pie in Wieker's face after running.
'That is one of my motivating pieces,' he said. 'Part of our jog every day during gym is that if you can complete a four [or five] minute jog ... then you get a tally, and I have been tracking that for the whole school year for all of our students. Each class has a winner from Thursday, which was our last day of tallies. Each of those kids will pie me in the face and an extra motivation of our fun run out on the course is that the leader for most laps run today is also going to get to pie me.'
With grades running throughout the day, Wieker said his hope is that students get to see the fun and the atmosphere that can come with running.
'You have the Eau Claire Marathon, the 5k and the half, as just one of many events in the local area. Running can be an approachable thing for all people of all ages, body types and abilities. You just need a pair of shoes and a place to go.'
