Four girls in pink shirts posing for a picture at an outdoor event.

2026 Running is Elementary Video and Photo Gallery

Posted on May 4, 2026

Running is Elementary

Race day for the annual Running is Elementary, sponsored by P-H-M’s Education Foundation, was a little windy, but gorgeous: just enough sunshine, just enough warmth, and the raindrops held off until all the races were over.

This year was one of the biggest yet with 700+ students from all 11 P-H-M elementary schools.

The one mile run is held at Penn’s Cross-Country Course, which is located behind Elm Road Elementary School. Fourth and fifth graders are encouraged to sign up for the free running club. Designated coaches at each school then train with the runners for the 6-week club culminating in the one mile race.

Two 4th grade boys posing for pictures after their race

A Moment of Sportsmanship

This picture of two 4th grade runners exemplifies what Running is Elementary is all about. These two boys were running neck and neck all the way to the finish line, vying for first place. After the race, the Disney boy (dark navy t-shirt) went out of his way to find the Moran runner (pink shirt) so they could take a picture together.

The students from two different schools had never met before, but in that moment, it didn’t matter. Running is Elementary not only teaches students about fitness and wellness, it also teaches them sportsmanship, connection, and the importance of supporting and celebrating each other!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to all the students who participated! Click to see the list below of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners for the four races. The list shows finish times listed by bib number and school. Parents should contact their school coach for their child’s specific time.

Community Support

What makes this event so special is that students are cheered on by their fellow students, families, teachers, running coaches, principals, PHM School Board members and administrators, and other PHM staff members. A photo gallery sample is below, but click here to visit the full photo gallery in the Education Foundation’s Canto photo portal.

Race Results

Below are the finish times for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners:

5th Grade Girls Winners

  1. 06:49.07, Bib #244, Northpoint
  2. 06:50.53, Bib #235, Northpoint
  3. 07:05.08, Bib #187, Mary Frank

School Team Rankings:

  1. Horizon
  2. Mary Frank
  3. Northpoint

5th Grade Boys Winners

  1. 06:14.75, Bib #597, Northpoint
  2. 06:16.06, Bib #650, Madison
  3. 06:29.29, Bib #590, Northpoint

School Team Rankings:

  1. Northpoint
  2. Horizon
  3. Elm Road

4th Grade Girls Winners

  1. 07:06.27, Bib #62, Horizon
  2. 07:30.09, Bib #31, Elm Road
  3. 07:31.47, Bib #75, Mary Frank

School Team Rankings:

  1. Prairie Vista
  2. Northpoint
  3. Bittersweet

4th Grade Boys Winners

  1. 06:34.34, Bib #438, Walt Disney
  2. 06:34.73, Bib #392, Moran
  3. 06:48.85, Bib #402, Northpoint

School Team Rankings:

  1. Northpoint
  2. Bittersweet
  3. Elm Road

School Colors Reference

P-H-M Elementary School Colors
School Shirt Color
Bittersweet Yellow
Elm Road Kelly Green
Elsie Rogers Teal
Horizon Orange
Madison Purple
Mary Frank Lime Green
Meadow’s Edge Turquoise
Moran Hot Pink
Northpoint Royal Blue
Prairie Vista Red
Walt Disney Navy Blue

Thank You

Special Thanks

Thank you to Cindy Batalis (physical education teacher at Mary Frank Elementary School) whose own love for running and her desire to pass that love on is the passion and driving force behind Running is Elementary. Thank you to all the PHM teachers, running coaches, school staff, and Penn Cross Country student-athletes who help out every year, along with P-H-M Education Foundation Board members and volunteers.

Event Sponsors

Thank you PHMEF and all their amazing sponsors that make this event possible for our students:

  • Martin’s donated the post-race snacks
  • Royal Excursion donated transportation to auxiliary parking lots
  • Benchmark Family Services helped PHMEF offset costs
  • Culver’s provided gift baskets for a prize drawing
  • Kona Ice and Tom’s Coffee did givebacks
  • Attorney Katy Wrona was also a sponsor

Post-race snack table with food and refreshments
Post-race snack table

Tom's Coffee truck at Running is Elementary event
Tom’s Coffee truck

Kona Ice truck at Running is Elementary event
Kona Ice truck


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Last Modified May 21, 2026