Debbie Knowlton

SCC Community Members

Running and education go well together, especially for Hollenbeck Middle School physical education teacher Debbie Knowlton and her students.

Not only has Debbie run in SCC’s That '80s Run 10K race for many years, she also brings a group of middle school students every year to do the one-mile fun run. 

“It’s a good way to promote fitness for kids,” Debbie said. “It’s a fun competition and it’s close to home.” 

Debbie and the other Hollenbeck physical education teachers encourage students to enter the race. They have the option of running the one-mile fun run at the college in place of running the mile at school.

“It’s a great atmosphere for them to run with people cheering for them,” she said. “I also work with our PTO to do a barbecue or a pizza party for them a couple weeks later, as an incentive.”

For Debbie, SCC’s annual run event, That '80s Run, is a homecoming of sorts. She said she enjoys seeing her kids come back, even in their 20s, to participate in the events.

In the spirit of education, this year’s 10K and 5K race participants (ages 18 and older) have a chance to win a $1,000 college scholarship to SCC. Proceeds from the events also fund health and wellness projects on campus.