Rohde, Jahnke encourage young runners through Bellin Run Kids for Running program

GREEN BAY – The Bellin Run is nearing closer and people — even kids — are hitting the streets to prepare their bodies for the big event.

The Bellin Kids for Running program is facilitated through local schools to allow kids the opportunity to participate in one of the biggest local events of the year.

Local Bellin Run Icon and Green Bay Notre Dame Girls Basketball Head Coach Sara Rohde has been not only a loyal participant in the Bellin Run for the past decade, but also a proponent of the Kids for Running program for years as well, dedicated to giving back through her coaching efforts.

“I have been leading the Kids for Running Program at Foxview Intermediate School in De Pere for several years with the support from our principal, Andy Bradford. I love helping the fifth and sixth graders because running can look a lot of different ways for these kids — some want to be competitive, some want to have fun and some want to be active. With the addition of the 5K, the distance isn’t overwhelming for a new runner,” said Rohde.

“The kids all have different goals so it’s fun to see them accomplish their ‘hard.’ In a world where we are surrounded by so much technology, I think it’s important for kids to understand the benefits of being active. Running builds a lot of mental toughness, confidence and can be therapeutic. It’s very rewarding to see the kids train and finish in practice and on race day.”

Rohde and Green Bay Phoenix Cross Country Runner Noah Jahnke made an appearance at Foxview Intermediate School on Friday, May 1, to impart their running wisdom and to encourage the newest generation of runners on their journey to participate in the Bellin Run.

Students had the opportunity to ask Jahnke and Rohde several questions about their experiences as a runner, including if they have ever run a marathon, what their race-day nutrition looks like and how far they run each day.

“I grew up in West De Pere and went to the West De Pere School District. I was never a runner back then. I was more into Karate and golf. The COVID-19 pandemic happened when I was a freshman in high school,” Jahnke said. “That’s when I got into running. It was something I could practice and train for by myself, so I joined cross country and track in high school and then got the opportunity to run in college at [UW-Green Bay]. You guys are getting into running way earlier than me, so you’ll probably be way faster than me when you’re my age.”

Jahkne took third place in the Bellin Run Men’s 10K last year with a time of 30:12, coming only behind Olympians Jared Ward (29:31) and JP Flavin (29:23).

“Noah (Jahnke) finished third behind two professional runners. That’s huge because he’s a college runner now and has one year left at [UW-Green Bay], going up against two runners where this is their full-time job,” Rohde explained to the Foxview students. “I think what’s pretty impressive is that he started running in ninth grade. Just remember that the more and more you practice, it doesn’t matter when you start. You’re never too late to start working at something as long as you’re willing to work at it.”

Through the Kids for Running program, young runners are encouraged to push themselves out of their comfort zone to attain a higher level of physical fitness.

Participating in the Bellin Run can be a huge feat for anyone — even more so for someone under the age of 18.

Bringing in the 5K event in 2023 has opened the door for more people — and kids — to be able to join in on the fun as well.