A spring tradition, parents, staff, family and friends joined students in running the Ilalko Elementary School Mile on Friday.

The annual run at the Auburn Riverside High School track drew hundreds of runners.

Mayor Nancy Backus was among those who appeared at the event.

The run promotes good health and exercise in the community.

“Elementary children need P.E. every day,” said Ilalko P.E.teacher Dee Dee Goodspeed.“One in three children are obese or overweight. We need to stop talking about it and do something about it.