Rincon Elementary School students released more energy than usual on Friday as they participated in the First Annual Bobcats Fun Run, an event put on by Boosterthon to help raise money for the school.

“For the past two weeks, Rincon Elementary students have learned how they can make a difference in this community and change the world, all as a part of the Backyard Box Office character program,” Rincon Elementary PTO member Tiffany Altman said. “During the two weeks, students asked family and friends for pledges and donations for the First Annual Bobcat Fun Run. This entire program was hosted by the Rincon Elementary PTO and the PTO plans to use the funds raised to help teachers buy classroom supplies.”

Beginning with the Pre-K, kindergarten and first grade students at 9 a.m., the Fun Run got underway. Second and third-graders ran at 10:30 a.m. and fourth and fifth-graders ran after lunch at 1 p.m.

Parents, grandparents and other family members came out to support the students as they ran.

The goal set for each student was to run/walk between 30-35 laps (nearly two miles on the course built by Boosterthon). Each time they passed through the row of teachers, they got a box on the back of their Fun Run shirt checked to indicate the number of laps they had made.

“This was our first year participating in the Boosterthon program and we were completely overwhelmed by the experience,” Altman said. “The outpouring of local businesses to help cover initial costs and to help provide t-shirts for all our students was incredible. Every student - regardless of financial contribution - participated in our character building program and the fun run. The money raised by our RES students and families was well beyond what we ever expected - we doubled our initial goal. Thank you to all our families and local businesses.  This was a phenomenal experience for all our school.”

Sponsors for the Bobcats Fun Run were McDonalds of Rincon, Steak n Shake, Rincon Chevrolet, Jenkins Plumbing, 21 South Mini Storage, TUC Team Universe Cheer, Yates Astro, Nova Music, Aaron’s Rental, Remax - Tara Robinson, Allstate-The Wendelken Agency, Prograde South, City of Rincon and Vopak.