Skirts and suspenders 1km race a success for the 9th year

Children living in rural Hutterite colonies across Alberta ran in the 1km Skirts and Suspenders Race last week in their traditional clothing. This year was the 9th annual event, and 384 Hutterite children participated across 21 colonies. Hutterite colonies are largely self-sufficient communities of 10-20 families that follow distinct cultural practices and religious guidelines.

Hutterite women wear long dresses, bonnets and aprons, and men wear hats, homemade pants and shirts, and suspenders. The colonies subsist on farming or ranching and operate as corporations, and live by a motto of “all things common” with everyone working for the communal good.

“Our students would not get the chance to participate in a public race, so we create a race-like atmosphere for them in their colonies,” explains Jaclyn Evaschyshyn, a teacher and race coordinator at the Warburg Colony School.

“We set routes, have swag bags, invite parents and community members to spectate or travel the route with them, share bananas and chocolate milk and give out prizes.”

The children get to both enjoy the festivities and put their running knowledge to use in their school work. Evaschyshyn sends out information to each colony on how to incorporate races into the curriculum. The race is supported by Ever Active Alberta’s Youth Running Club, and Evaschyshyn calls the racers “competitive, but friendly.”

Post-race, students calculate the mean race times for different grades and share them. The students enjoy seeing which other colonies are participating. Evaschyshyn says, “Through the years, students have made wonderful penpals and friends through the event.”