SLIDESHOW More Than 400 'Ran the Gauntlet' at Cameron and Stapleton Schools

More than 400 people "Ran the Gauntlet" on a rainy Sunday October morning.

The event, organized by Cameron Middle School and Stapleton Elementary School, was an 1.8 mile obstacle course. It started at Stapleton Elementary, continued to Cameron Middle, then on to the Carol Getchell Nature Trail before heading back to Stapleton for the finish line.

The event was organized by Stapleton Elementary School Physical Education teacher Ellen Margiotta, Stapleton kindergarten aide Kristen Lawson and Cameron Middle physical education teachers Adam Kelberman and Karen Dauer, with the assistance of many other staff and families.

The first-ever Gauntlet event was a fundraiser for the two schools. The focus was on physical activity and active participation, said organizers.

The 1.8 mile course featured challenges to climb over, crawl under, jump over, test one's strength by carrying, running, jogging or walking and balancing. One of the highlights was a Slippery Fun Foam sliding activity down Cameron's back hill.

The participants were sent out from Stapleton in heats of 20 people, a few minutes apart as to spread out the people at each obstacle. 

More than 400 participants besides sliding down the long soapy slide behind Cameron also crawled through two two mud pits on Cameron's lowest field, as part of the Gauntlet.

The rain didn't deter any runners - some even completed the Gauntlet a second and third time said Dauer, in a press release.

Alumni and Framingham High track team member Tyler Hall participated in the Gauntlet, said Dauer.

Ms. M's Field Hockey team members, also Cameron alums, ran it, added Dauer.

The exciting and challenging physical activity brought smiles to faces as the runner moved from one obstacle to another, she said.
 
Thanks to Central Auto who provided the organizers with the 100 tires used in the course.

Organizers also wanted to thank "many staff members and families who helped by setting up, supervising, and putting away the obstacles."

There are already plans for the 2nd Annual "Run the Gauntlet" in 2014.