Northern Elementary holds 4th annual Northern Ninja Run
Miniature ninjas swarmed the field behind Northern Elementary on Wednesday evening as around 240 children took part in the school’s fourth annual Northern Ninja Run.
Students crawl through an obstacle during the fourth annual Northern Ninja Run on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Northern Elementary School in Bemidji.
BEMIDJI — Miniature ninjas swarmed the field behind Northern Elementary on Wednesday evening as around 240 children took part in the school’s fourth annual Northern Ninja Run.
The winding half-mile course was filled with more than 20 obstacles for the students to climb through, crawl under and leap over as they made their way along the Timberwolf Trail behind the elementary school.
Students run to the starting line during the fourth annual Northern Ninja Run on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Northern Elementary School in Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
Complete with brightly colored attire and headbands in honor of the neon-themed event, the children set out grade by grade to complete the course.
Each challenge and obstacle was thought up and built by parent and staff volunteers, designed specifically for the preschool through fifth-grade students participating.
A student leaps over a set of obstacles during the fourth annual Northern Ninja Run on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Northern Elementary School in Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
“We couldn’t do all this without the parents' help and support, they help build the obstacles and staff comes out and help with registration and keeping the flow going out on the course,” said Northern Elementary teacher and co-organizer of the event Heather Anderson. “This is our big end-of-the-year celebration and all the proceeds go to the PTO to help pay for school activities throughout the year.”
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As soon as the students made it to the finish line, sweaty and out of breath, many of them turned right back around and headed out to run the course all over again.
Staff members cheer on students as they make their way to the finish line during the fourth annual Northern Ninja Run on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Northern Elementary School in Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
“This is always a really fun event, everybody shows up in full force and works and helps out,” said Paul Daman, a teacher at Northern Elementary and co-event organizer. “We had one guy build seven obstacles this year and it’s just so awesome to have all the help and support every year.”
Students leap through an obstacle during the fourth annual Northern Ninja Run on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Northern Elementary School in Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
A student balances on an obstacle during the fourth annual Northern Ninja Run on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Northern Elementary School in Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
A student crawls through an obstacle during the fourth annual Northern Ninja Run on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Northern Elementary School in Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
Students make their way through an obstacle during the fourth annual Northern Ninja Run on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Northern Elementary School in Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
Students balance on an obstacle during the fourth annual Northern Ninja Run on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Northern Elementary School in Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
Students make their way through an obstacle during the fourth annual Northern Ninja Run on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Northern Elementary School in Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
A student crawls through an obstacle during the fourth annual Northern Ninja Run on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Northern Elementary School in Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
Students make their way over an obstacle during the fourth annual Northern Ninja Run on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Northern Elementary School in Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
A student leaps over a set of obstacles during the fourth annual Northern Ninja Run on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Northern Elementary School in Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
Students make their way through an obstacle during the fourth annual Northern Ninja Run on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Northern Elementary School in Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
A student leaps over an obstacle during the fourth annual Northern Ninja Run on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Northern Elementary School in Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
A student balances on an obstacle during the fourth annual Northern Ninja Run on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Northern Elementary School in Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
Family members cheer on students as they make their way through an obstacle during the fourth annual Northern Ninja Run on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Northern Elementary School in Bemidji.
Annalise is the editor and a photographer at the Bemidji Pioneer. She is a Mass Communication graduate from Bemidji State University. Her favorite pastime is exploring the great outdoors and capturing its natural beauty on camera. Contact Annalise at (218) 333-9796, (218) 358-1990 or abraught@bemidjipioneer.com.
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