Taking a two fold run; Innisfil students stride for world record and Terry Fox
By Chris Simon

Over 230 Innisfil Central Public School students and staff participated in a one kilometre run/walk last week, in an attempt to break a Guinness world record. The participants, along with several thousand people Photo by Chris Simon across the province, were trying to become the largest group to simultaneously walk one kilometre. Last year, Western Australia residents set the record, when over 100,900 walked one kilometre.

Scott Allan knew he was a part of something special, as he ran circles around the yard at Innisfil Central Public School last week.

The Grade 8 student and about 235 of his schoolmates and teachers were attempting to set a Guinness world record last Wednesday, while also doing some positive community work. Staff and students were participating in the school's annual Terry Fox Run, while also trying, along with thousands of residents across Ontario, to break a world record for the most people walking one kilometre simultaneously.

Last year, over 100,900 people in Western Australia set the record.

Allan says it would be neat to hold the record, an accomplishment he would hold with friends and colleagues.

"It's our Terry Fox Run, and we want to get our school in the Guinness Book of World Records. We find that pretty cool," he said, standing by friend Jake Adamson, both sweating from the walk. "We want to do that so we can be recognized. We can remember that. This is our last year (at Innisfil Central), and we want to have good times."

Adamson agrees.

"It makes a good memory," he said. "If we do get in the book, everyone will be real proud and wanting to tell people about it."

The event gives students plenty of physical activity, said principal Jo-Ann White-McKenna.

"This is also part of our daily physical activity," she said.

"We have our annual Terry Fox Run, but this year, our teacher/librarian brought us the idea of the record run today. We decided to tie the two together, and to give our children the opportunity to get out."We have three key things, Terry Fox, the world record and everybody exercising."

White-McKenna is proud of the school's performance, regardless of the record.

"They've done a great job; there's lots of school spirit," she said. "Today's all about pride in our school."