SALEMBURG — With deep breaths and strides throughout town, hundreds of runners are ready to make a difference in the lives of students at Salemburg Elementary School.

The second annual Salemburg Little Leopards Body & Mind 5K is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at the school, 404 E. College St., Salemburg. It will begin at the elementary school and continue through the town. The purpose of the event is to promote benefits of healthy lifestyle and physical activities to students.

Media Specialist Eddy Zigmont organized the first 5K in 2016 during a nippy December day, after participating in his first one in 2015. Saturday will be a little different with a weather forecast predicting a mostly cloudy day with temperatures in the 80s.

“It’s going very well,” Zigmont said. “I’m glad that a lot of the students are participating with their parents.”

A major purpose of the event is to promote healthy lifestyles at the school and to improve the playground area.Funds from the upcoming race will go towards equipment for students to enjoy during recess and physical education lessons.

“Those who are more active in life have better grades and better behavior,” Zigmont said about the reasons and expanding health in classrooms.

Before the 5K, Zigmont researched the benefits of the upgrades. Some of the ideas include new soccer goals and fixing up the basketball courts with resurfacing.

“We’re just trying to make it more appealing to our students so that they’ll be more encouraged to do stuff, instead of just sitting around on the playground,” Zigmont said.

Last year, the 5K raised money for the media center and the physical education department. More than 160 people attended to run, walk, volunteer or be a spectator. Visitors came from Sampson County and surrounding areas. Salemburg also received assistance from the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, Tarheel ChalleNGe and Sampson County Emergency Medical Services. Besides participants associated with the elementary school, members from Lakewood High School Cross Country and runners from Midway Middle School were some of the other groups showing support to the school.

The fee is $20 for adults and $15 for participants 17 and under. Interested runners or walkers have until 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5 to register online at goo.gl/rQ18wW. Donations are also being accepted on the website. Registration will also be available Saturday morning at the school for the same costs.

For more information, contact Zigmont at 910-525-5547 or by email at [email protected].

Students participate in the inaugural Salemburg Little Leopards Body & Mind 5K.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_Salemburg_5K.jpgStudents participate in the inaugural Salemburg Little Leopards Body & Mind 5K.
Saturday’s 5K at Salemburg ES aims to improve playground

By Chase Jordan

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Reach Chase Jordan at 910-249-4617. Follow us on Twitter at @SampsonInd and like us on Facebook.