Colorado Teacher/Assistant Principal Sets Up Training Program and Scholarships for Students with Help from BIGDOGBRAG
When we started BIGDOGBRAG seven years ago, our intention was to create a truly unique mud run and obstacle course event that would be enjoyed by Coloradans of all ages who simply wanted to get outside. We’re locals who know that not everyone who lives in Colorado is an Olympic athlete, and that more of us enjoy a leisurely hike along our majestic Front Range than scaling a 14-er. (For those of you new to the area, the 14-er is a 14,000’ mountain, and to hike to the top of one is a rite of passage in this state.) Like many of you, we have families and appreciate activities that are fun but also affordable. What an honor it is to now be planning for our annual mud runs in Colorado Springs (June 9) and Pueblo (June 30) and seeing so many familiar names on the registration forms.
Recently we received a call from Rachel, a past BIGDOGBRAG runner who is a member of COR (Colorado Obstacle Racers). When not challenging herself at races across the state on weekends, Rachel is a dual language instructional coach and part-time assistant principal at a school that serves underprivileged students. She shared with us that BIGDOGBRAG is her absolute favorite race, and because it is a great family venue with lots of levels, she thought that it would be the ideal obstacle course event for the at-risk students she teaches. BIGDOGBRAG is also one of the most affordable mud runs in the region, yet families with limited means might not be able to pay the registration fee for their children.
“It is pure socioeconomics,” stated Rachel Gilbert. “The underprivileged kids I work with can afford the shoes and shorts, but not the entry fee. I felt that I could help out by providing scholarships to some of the kids, as a way to encourage them to participate.”
Rachel added that their school has a high-level playground that is ideal for training. As the kids master athletic skills she is able to help with teamwork and self-esteem, and as a result, incidents of bullying decrease. “This school is part of the greater Colorado community, too. COR (Colorado Obstacle Racers) trains together, encourages each other and races as a group,” said Rachel. “I saw an opportunity to apply what we do at COR to the students I teach, and to the families. Families that train together will race together, and everyone starts and finishes together.”
Other benefits of training for and participating in BIGDOGBRAG that Rachel stated will help students:
- The obstacle course teaches kids how to be safe and have boundaries
- The event is all about how they race together, as a team
- The team will start and finish, together
The mascot at Rachel’s kindergarten through 6th grade dual language school is the knight, but every grade level that participates in the mud run will have an animal mascot. Rachel is training with the 5th and 6th graders for the 5K race, and the younger kids will participate in the 2K race.
Rachel Gilbert is providing five scholarships for her school, and is encouraging other educators to also help fund students who want to run in BIGDOGBRAG…The Colorado Mud Run. BIGDOGBRAG will provide an additional two scholarships for every five students sponsored by a teacher or coach. The scholarship match is currently available for the Colorado Springs mud run on June 9, 2018,
Rachel Gilbert epitomizes everything BIGDOGBRAG stands for, and we salute her for embracing our family friendly mud run and obstacle course as a training and team building opportunity for the students she teaches.
Are you a Colorado teacher or coach and planning to train for and participate in BIGDOGBRAG with your students? Share your story with us at bigdog@bigdogbrag.com and we might feature you in an upcoming blog post!
