Running Vikings have ice in their veins

Nothing like a brisk run to get the blood pumping.

With temperatures in the low- to mid-30s, and a strong wind whipping out of the southwest, Geneva High School students celebrated the last day of outdoor physical education for the year with the annual Turkey Run.

Each period, the PE classes raced on a path around the school's athletic fields, about three-quarters of a mile. The fastest boy and girl each period received turkeys, courtesy of Dominick's. The top 10 boys and girls per period received gift certificates to local stores and restaurants such as Great Harvest, Jamba Juice, Kernel Fabyan's and XSport Fitness.

The shivering runners who finished the race in less than 10 minutes were treated to hot chocolate, courtesy of volunteers from the Parent-Teacher Organization.

And if they needed motivation to pick up the pace, teachers and administrators provided some, lacing up their gym shoes to take the kids on.

Principal Tom Rogers was the "designated turkey" for the second-period race.

"Don't let him beat you. I know it's cold. Run fast," yelled one teacher before the starting siren went off, while Van Halen's "Jump" blared from a loudspeaker for inspiration.

Rogers finished in a respectable 6:23.

But he was far behind Jeff Foster, a junior, who was far ahead of everybody else, finishing the race in 4:39. (Besides being considerably younger, Foster had an advantage -- he plays football and runs track).

Did the temperature bother him?

"It's a little cold. I kind of ran fast," Foster said. "I would like it to be a little warmer, but it's OK."

Val Zawada, a junior, wore earmuffs, a bright plaid scarf, gloves and a long-sleeved shirt -- and gym shorts. "I think it's dumb because it's freezing!" she said, laughing and shivering.

The kids have been doing the run for the past two weeks and were told to prepare for the weather. They were allowed to wear sweatpants and jackets, but many chose to make the run in their gym shorts.

"This is an attitude. This is a tradition. This is fun. It's a Viking tradition. We really don't have many kids complain," said Mike Fields, a physical education teacher.

"I never get to (run) because I'm too busy," said Sarah Meadows, the physical education teacher who coordinates the race.

"We try to ask other teachers, so they see us in a different kind of atmosphere."