The Pioneer Mile: Pine Trail Elementary students challenge themselves on race day

This year's Pioneer Mile was one of the largest in the school's recent history. The competitors ranged from first grade students to fifth grade.

  • By Jarleene Almenas
  • | 9:05 a.m. February 13, 2023
  • Ormond Beach Observer
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At Pine Trail Elementary, race day carries a lot of weight. 

Students of all grades work hard throughout the school year to qualify for the Pioneer Mile, an initiative created by Coach James Vollinger 29 years ago and one that he has introduced at each school in which he has taught. To qualify, girls must run a mile in nine minutes or less, and boys in eight minutes or less. 

They must demonstrate they can do so prior to the race. One student this year qualified the morning of. 

Coach Christina Wingard congratulated all 102 students who qualified — 52 girls and 50 boys — and hoped they would have fun during the race.

"We're so proud of how hard they worked," Wingard said. 

This year's Pioneer Mile was one of the largest in the school's recent history. The competitors ranged from first grade students to fifth grade.


 

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