A miniature version of the Kansas Relays took place Friday in Anschutz Sports Pavilion.

After winning the 4x1,200-meter relay, Langston Hughes School fourth-graders, from left, Tripp Wright, Jon Saathoff, Adriana Jadlow and Mackinzie Urish celebrate at the Anschutz Sports Pavilion at Kansas University. They and other fourth-graders from 15 schools participated in track and field events with guidance from KU students Friday morning during the Kansas Relays for Kids.

The place was hopping with 650 fourth-grade students who got a brief taste of track competition during the third annual Kansas Relays for Kids. The events ranged from tossing the javelin to striding in the long jump.

Participant Kate Dingus, of Broken Arrow School, said the environment inside the pavilion was energizing.

“I like seeing all the college people and doing activities that are not in the classroom,” Dingus said.

Teachers took on a different role at the relays; they went from instructors to cheerleaders.

“We always support the kids, and today we get to see their personalities and skills,” said Jessica Minor, who teaches fourth grade at Langston Hughes School. “Especially after being locked down yesterday, the kids were more than ready to run around and enjoy this.”

About 15 students in Kansas University’s health and physical education program helped organize the event, which drew participants from 15 schools.

Phil Vardiman, who teaches athletic training at KU, said the relays meant more than competition.

“It’s really a good volunteer opportunity for (KU) students,” he said. “You never know, these events today might inspire some of the kids to do track and field when they get older.”