And They're Off – for the EFW and Fitness

Nearly 2,500 runners and walkers came out on a crisp, clear, sunny Saturday morning at the Milwaukee County Zoo for the annual EFW Walk/Run, with hundreds of eager young competitors lined up half an hour before the 8:30 start.

 With a mass countdown and the blast of a starting horn, they were off and running – or walking – a mile-long course around the Zoo to get some exercise and support the efforts of the Education Foundation of Wauwatosa.

 “We had 2,430 registered,” said race director and EFW board member Buffy Stephan. “There will be a few who just show up, but usually only about 10.

“There’s a competition between the buildings for the most participation. This year it’s Wilson-WSTEM. I know it's a small school, but it's percentage of participation, and they really came out. That way the larger schools don't enjoy an unfair advantage.

"The most improved school this year, in participation, was Eisenhower, with more than a 300 percent increase."

Stephan is stepping down after her sixth year as race director; picking up the gauntlet and the starting horn next year will be Craig Brittingham, a sales representative for a pharmaceuticals company who has two kids at Roosevelt Elementary.

"I'm strictly a volunteer," Brittingham said. "It's a way to give back. I've done a lot of road races, a couple of marathons. I'll be helping organize another run this summer for the Ronald McDonald House.

"I like to be around running, and if it's for a good cause, so much the better."

Another guy who likes to be around running is Noah Katula. Noah is an 11-year-old fifth-grader at McKinley Elementary who never misses an EFW Walk/Run.

"I came in sixth overall and won my level," the fifth-grade boys' class, Noah said. "I run a lot, I have the desire to win, and I go hard all the time."

The annula EFW Walk/Run is a fundraiser as well as a way to raise awareness of the benefits of exercise for good health. The lead sponsors this year were Freodtert Hospital, the Medical College of Wisconsin, Sports Medicine Center, Liberty Mutual Insurance and Waterstone Bank.