Run, pioneers run! Over 160 Pine Trail students participate in annual 1-mile race tradition

Fifth grader Espn Haines breaks boys' school record, finishing race with a time of 5:54. His sister, Breckland Haines, broke the girls' record with a time of 6:17.

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Shattering a school record, 162 Pine Trail Elementary students took on the Pioneer Mile race on Friday, Feb. 27.

It wasn't the only record broken. Fifth grader Espn Haines, who won last year's race, finished this year with a time of 5 minutes and 54 seconds. The previous school record for the fastest Pioneer Mile was 5 minutes and 57 seconds. 

His sister, fourth grader Breckland Haines, also placed first in the girls' race and broke school record with a time of 6 minutes and 17 seconds. She finished the race over 30 seconds faster compared to last year. 

The race was introduced at Pine Trail eight years ago by retired Coach James Vollinger, who launched the concept of the race over 30 years ago while working at another school. To qualify, boys have to be able to run a mile in eight minutes or less and girls in nine minutes or less. 

A total of 168 students qualified for the Pioneer Mile this year, with 162 — 102 boys and 60 girls — finishing the race. This is an increase from last year's 139 total qualifying students. The number of boys meant they were split into two heats.

This year's winners were the same as last year's, with an overall improvement on run times. A Seabreeze track student also kicked off the race, impersonating Forrest Gump.

RESULTS

Girls

1. Breckland Haines, fourth grade, 6:17

2. Brooklyn Vitello, fourth grade, 6:23

3. Adalynn Tabb, fifth grade, 6:33

Boys

1. Espn Haines, 5:54

2. Richard Yanez, 6:03

3. Carter Reardon: 6:08

Editor's note: This story was updated at 10:55 a.m. Tuesday, March 3, to include Breckland Haines also broke her school's record for the girls' race.

 

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