Michael Gard, 9, leads fellow classmate Cooper Catlin, 9, both Langston Hughes School students, in a sprint to the finish line Friday at Fred DeVictor Park. Langston Hughes and Quail Run School students participated in a fun run on Friday and also collected running shoes and canned food.

It was a perfect day for a run, and that’s just what some Langston Hughes and Quail Run students did at DeVictor Park on Friday morning.

“We decided to have a fun run as part of a community outreach program and our wellness program with a neighboring school that also has a running club,” said Langston Hughes Marathon Club committee member Carrie Mandigo.

But the exercise was not the most important part of the event.

“We decided to collect canned food for ECKAN (East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corporation) and old athletic shoes for the Nike Reuse a Shoe program. They use the shoes and recycle them into various flooring for athletic fields,” Mandigo said.

Gilbert Karuga was running with his daughter, Ruth. “I think it’s a brilliant idea. We loved it. It’s a nice way of getting kids involved in the community and having them know their role in our society like we have in Lawrence,” Karuga said.

Fourth-grader Kara Krannawitter said she came for the company and the community service. “It makes me feel good that I’m helping other kids or other people that don’t have very much food.”