This year’s Lloydminster Public School Division (LPSD) cross-country took place under its new name, the Teira Thomson LPSD Cross-country Classic.
More than 300 runners from Grades 3 to 9, teachers, staff and volunteers gathered at Bud Miller All Seasons Park on Sept. 25 for a pre-race renaming ceremony.
E.S. Laird Middle School teacher Ryan Sklapsky told the crowd Thomson was the driving force behind the cross-country meet.
She also coached soccer, basketball, pickleball, badminton and track and field during her time teaching at Rendell Park.
“She was a loving wife, mother, aunt, daughter and relative to her immediate and extended family,” said Sklapsky.
“She lost her battle against cancer on Sept. 21, 2023. Starting with today’s race, it will be renamed the Teira Thomson LPSD Cross-country Classic.”
There was a minute of silence to reflect on her dedication to the school division and community members.
Race director, Craig Blythe, the vice-principal at Winston Churchill School, remembers Thomson as a long-time teacher at LPSD who taught him everything he knows about race directing.
“She’s a huge part of this race and everything athletic at LPSD,” he said.
Her husband, Glenn, who taught at the LPSD for over 32 years and still substitute teaches, also came out to act as the race starter.
Grade 3 to 5 boys and girls ran a 2 kilometre route while the Grades 6-9s covered 3 km.
Olivia Bui, a Grade 5 runner from Rendell Park says she put in a little bit of training “before school and stuff like that” while her school mate Dezray Price shouted out in jest, “I’m faster.”
Eventually, they both agreed they were the same speed.
Another runner, Wren Dolen in Grade 6 at Bishop Lloyd Middle School said she only had one practice so far and didn’t know what to expect.
“I don’t know, I hope I do good. I think it’s going to be fun and hopefully, it helps my stamina for the next run,” she said.
Blythe predicted the hot temperatures could be factor.
“It’s going to be good for a short race maybe not a long one, but it’s beautiful,” he said.
“It will be a lot of fun. We’ve got Lloydminster schools and schools from Marshall, Lashburn, Hillmond and the surrounding area,” he said.
Blythe says the run is all about learning perseverance, persistence and getting some exercise and having fun while they do it.
“Our division office has been amazing to come and join us. All coaches and teachers are out here to make sure it runs smoothly,” he said.
One of the volunteers was Clayton Parobec, superintendent of human relations who said he came straight from work to support the run.
“The weather’s great and there should be lots of smiling faces and lots of great participation,” said Parobec.
“Lots of teachers are here volunteering and a number of people from central office came to lend a hand as well. It’s all hands on deck.”
Parobec’s race role was to hand out ribbons at the finish line to the top group of runners in the boys’ and girl’s races.
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