79 compete in Fastest Kid competition

Seventy-nine children ages 5 to 12 competed in 100 and 200 yard races at Riverside Middle School during the fourth annual Fastest Kid in Town Race held during the Vermont Apple Festival on Saturday, Oct.  8.

Sponsored by Springfield Medical Care Systems, the Fastest Kid in Town Race is part of an effort to raise awareness on the importance of physical activity for young children.

There were a total of four races determined by age divisions. Medals were awarded to the fastest boy and girl of each age group. All participants received a Fastest Kid T-shirt.

The two youngest divisions raced a quick 100 yards across the field.

The fastest 5- and 6-year olds were Camden Dwinell of Baltimore and Sophia Cherubini of Chester. Mateo Fuentes of Springfield returned to defend his title and added another medal to his collection as the fastest boy and Olivia St. Aubin of Claremont, N.H. was the first female across the finish line in the 7- and 8-year old division.

The final two races consisted of a fast-paced jaunt down the field and back to complete 200 yards.  In the 9- and 10-year-old group, Lucian Griffin of Williston surged forward as the finish line was in reach to narrowly avoid a tie, and Molly Tennis of Springfield joined him on the winners’ podium.

Twelve-year-olds Elijah Cass of Springfield and Leilani Macenfish of Charlestown, N.H. earned their titles as Fastest Kid in Town, demonstrating that determination and effort leads to success.

Leilani has competed in this fun race for the last three years, each time walking away with a shirt for her efforts. However this year she stood on the podium and proudly displayed her winner’s medal. Leilani said, “I’ve been running 30 laps in the gym every day to get ready, and I won.” Leilani’s parents had encouraged her to not give up.

For more information about the Fastest Kid in Town Race or other youth and family events at the Edgar May Health and Recreation Center, contact Sarah Tilden Gramling, Youth & Family Programs coordinator at stilden@myreccenter.org or 802-885-2568.