SOLON — Spartan Dash, a morning of messy family fun, returns to the Solon Recreation and Nature Area (SRNA) next Saturday, April 27.
The annual event, which raises funds for the Parent Teacher Organizations at Lakeview Elementary and the Solon Intermediate School (SIS) started in 2012 and organizer Jill Schmidt noted, “The very first set of kids who participated in Spartan Dash are currently Solon High School seniors.”
Over $275,000 has been raised through the years and Schmidt estimates between $20k-$24k is generated annually with all proceeds going directly into the Lakeview and SIS classrooms.
“The funds have been utilized to enhance preschool and kindergarten equipment, offset field trip expenses, purchase magazine subscriptions, and provide self-defense classes in physical education. Additionally, educational app subscriptions were bought, iPads were purchased, leveled reading materials were provided for classrooms, and breakfast with buddies was financially supported. The primary expenditure is providing each teacher with $300-450 annually for discretionary funds to procure classroom materials. We now face an urgent need for playground equipment due to third grade moving to SIS, and Spartan Dash proceeds will contribute toward building a new playground,” Schmidt said.
Popular activities from past years return such as the “Decontamination Station” where participants are blasted with chalk dust, “Big Mouth” where a long slide awaits, the family tire roll, “Human Hamster Wheel,” and “The Gladiator” obstacle challenge. New this year is “Get Low and Go,” where participants will first do a low crawl under snow fencing, then race over hurdles to see who can finish first in your team. In total, ten family-friendly obstacles appropriate for all ages will be spread out around the one-mile course.
Registration and a consent form are available online at https://spartandash2024.cheddarup.com. The cost per person is $22 with a Friday, April 26 deadline at 5:00 p.m. While same day registration will be available, organizers cannot guarantee any event T-shirts.
The 2024 Spartan Dash will run from 8:00 a.m.-Noon at the SRNA with free parking.
“Spartan Dash is a fun, wet, and dirty event. Wear weather appropriate attire, which can get messy,” Schmidt advised.
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Kaiah Meyer blasts a participant in the Spartan Dash with chalk dust at the 2022 “Spartan Decontamination” station at the SRNA. The Meyer family – Carl, Trudie, Kaiah, and Kadyn added a burst of color to the several obstacles and challenges arrayed along the park’s perimeter in the annual fundraiser for the Lakeview Elementary and Solon Intermediate School PTOs. This year’s event will be held next Saturday, April 27.