Year: 2012

Joey asks Phil Whitley, the Motif No. 1 Day 5K Race co-Director, a few questions about the upcoming race & fun run. To find out more or register for the race, be sure to check out the links at the bottom of the post!

1)    Tell us a little bit about you.

My name is Philip Whitley, I am the Health and Science teacher at the Rockport Elementary School and I am the race director for the Motif #1 Day 5k. I am only one part of an amazing team of teachers who have formed a Health and Wellness Committee at the school this past year. The other teachers on the Committee are our Physical Education teacher Erin Caniff, Art Teacher Simon Paddock, and Multi-age teacher Darlene Trumbour.
2) When was this race founded?

The race was started in May 2011, this is the second year of the event. Last year it was called “To the Bear and Back”, And the event was such a success last year we were asked to host the event on Motif #1 Day.
3) What was the motivation behind this event?

The motivation behind the event is to promote health and wellness in the Rockport Public Schools and community. We hope that the event gets people exercising and enjoying the benefits of exercise. The money raised from the event goes to health and wellness initiatives at the school. Last year we were able to use the money to build an amazing garden behind the school and to purchase an indoor plant growing light system. Our committee has also been able to start single stream recycling in our schools.

4) Is there someone or something that inspired you to start this?

In the spring of 2011 I was working on my Masters thesis and I was researching how exercise improves brain function. Erin Canniff, our physical education teacher, worked with my class each morning having them exercise for the first 20 minutes of the day. Erin then started a running club for grades  k-5. The club met before school and had over 200 students participating. One thing led to another and Erin and I decided to put together a 5k and 1 mile fun run for the school.
5) Are you also a participant?

Unfortunately being the race director brings a lot of responsibilities on race day so my day is pretty busy which leaves no time for running it. My wife and my sons will be running and I love being around races and runners so it is a great day even though I can’t run.

6) Where do you see this event in say 5 years from now?

Our desire is to make this an annual event. There is already talk about having another race during the Harvest Fest in October as well. It would be great to have two races a year: one in the Fall and one in the Spring.

7) Any last bits of wisdom you would like to share?

I would encourage everyone to read the book SPARK by John Ratey. This is the book that really started the whole running revolution at the school.

Motif No. 1 Day 5K Race Schedule

Friday May 18^th race packet pick up at the Fish Shack in Rockport  from 4-8pm. If you have dinner, 10% of your meal goes to the Friends of Rockport Athletics.

Saturday May 19^thRace Day

Pre registration starts at 7:30

5k Starts at 9am

1 mile fun run will start as soon as the 5k is completed

Race Raffle will start at 10:30ish

Check us out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Motif1day5k

And our website www.motif1day5k.com for all our race information