The annual Canine on the Creek 5k race is just around the corner, and the Clear Creek Metropolitan Recreation District is helping kids get ready to run. 

It’s fair to say that Jenn Jordan from Georgetown is an avid runner. Her 29 marathons and one ultra-marathon prove that. For the fourth year in a row, she’s helping local kids get trained to run a 5k, or 3.1 miles. 

“The goal is just to get them to finish it,” Jordan explained. 

The class at CCMRD runs until May 18th, right before the Canine on the Creek race on the 20th. It’s targeted to 3rd through 6th graders and runs for eight Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the rec center. 

Some of the things the class will focus on, according to Jordan, will be pacing, nutrition and learning to encourage each other. 

Alesya Marrone is 11 and goes to Georgetown Community School. She attended the first session on March 30, and had a few goals for herself for the program. 

“To get my energy up,” she said. “Get strong and get fast.” 

Marrone enjoys playing soccer, and Jordan told her that working on running will only improve her game.

During the first session, the runners worked to set benchmarks for themselves in order to track improvements throughout the program.

Jordan brought the participants folders and notebooks with information about the indoor track and May’s race and encouraged them to keep track of their progress through the training. 

One of the most important things they’ll learn, Jordan said, is how to have each other’s back.

“Really cheering for one another, encouraging one another,” she said.