Twenty-five miles separate Enterprise Elementary School from Safeco field. For 25 days, Enterprise Elementary students, parents and staff walk, run or jog the distance — earning an opportunity to go on a field trip to a Mariners baseball game on June 3, 2008, or to earn a T-shirt. Enterprise’s 484 students completed over 4,500 miles this year.

Physical education teacher Tom Wallat and school counselor Stacy Traylor lead this unique program, in its eighth year.

“May is PE/Health Month, and I created the ‘25 Mile Club’ to increase students’ cardiovascular fitness and encourage families to exercise with their kids,” Wallat said.

The program continues to grow. “In our first year, about 20 students reached the 25 mile goal. This year, close to 150 completed 25 miles,” Wallat said.

When students are joined by an adult family member, they earn double “punches” on their lap cards. Over the course of 25 Mile Club, at least 300 family members have spent time exercising with their children at school. Leann Stafford, a parent who did laps alongside her three sons said the club “is a great fit for my sons because they are motivated by setting and reaching goals. The club gives all kids the opportunity to monitor their progress and celebrate when they reach their goal.”

Mrs. Staffords’s oldest son, fifth-grader Christian Stafford, completed 59 miles this year.

“I liked being able to run. It kept me in shape and I did a lot better in baseball,” said Dax Wallat, a fifth-grader who completed 55 miles.

“I play soccer so it kept me in shape for that,” added Christian Stafford.