On Thursday, Sept. 15 there were 726 kids from around the region who took part in the 15th annual YRHS-Cherrydale Run for Peace.
This cross-country meet hosted children from the third grade all the way up to grade twelve.
Mike Haczkewicz, head coach of the YRHS cross-country team and organizer, said the numbers this year set a new record to a special event.
“The run was created fifteen years ago in response to the September 11 catastrophe. It’s a way to keep that in everyone’s minds and to remember, and to do something good about it,” Haczkewicz said.
The funds raised from the meet go towards the YRHS cross-country club, to support their meets and travels throughout the season.
Haczkewicz said he was very pleased with the number of kids who showed up this year, how the coaches from all schools looked after everthing, and mentioned that Cherrydale Golf Course always takes care of them.
The big highlights from the YRHS team came from Josh Haczkewicz, a bantam aged runner who raced up a level in the midget age group. He won his race by about 15 seconds.
His sister, Kelsey Haczkewicz took home the gold for senior girls. She’s been racing for ten years and this was her first big win.
Paige Novakowski received her first gold medal, and Sean Easton placed sixth in midget boys, but coach Haczkewicz said he’s been improving leaps and bounds.
It will be a busy month for the YRHS cross-country club, with things wrapping up on Oct. 22 at age-class provincials held at Deer Park. This event will host kids all the way up to university age. The top four kids will receive funding to go to nationals in Ontario.
“It’s a big deal that this event is coming to Yorkton. It’s been years since it was last here,” Haczkewicz said.
