As we watched the rich greens of late summer change to the fall colours on the LCC fields, LCC Physical Education students were training for their mile run tests. Chosen as an alternative to the “Beep” test, the standardized assessment provides a good indication of students’ aerobic fitness.

The Ministry of Education reform Competency 3: “Lives a healthy lifestyle” asks us to assess their general state of health. One way to accomplish this assessment is to first teach and train the students to do the run over the first month or so, then have them do a standardized test for assessment purposes. Almost all LCC students find themselves in the “healthy” range aerobically, for the mile run.

In 1954, Roger Bannister broke the 4-minute mile barrier, after many years of trying. The mile run was a historically popular distance but it has been mostly replaced by the 1500 meters. The 1500m is about 1650 yards, while the mile is 1760 yards (no wonder we switched to the metric system!). The current men’s world record for the mile is 3:45.13, while the women’s record is 4:12.56.

Though everyone does their best on the day of their runs, some of our students excelled, and some went on to compete among the best of our best. The top time in the school was run in class by Simon Lauze, at 5:33, while the top girls’ time was 7:01, by grade 7 student Jackie Lavy. In the challenge races, where students had the chance to run with students of similar speeds, Middle School winners were Guiseppe Lipari (5:51) and Charles Pretorius (6:10) in the boys, while in the girls Jackie just outran Alexa Dlouhy. In the Senior School, Kenya Shatani (5:44) edged Eric Drymer and Julien Miller by seconds.

Moving to the indoor season, students longing for the beep tests need worry no more, as we train toward a mid-winter assessment. Also, stay tuned for the 40 yard run, looking forward to the annual Baillie sprint held in the spring.

–Stephen Lee, Physical & Health Education Department Head