SPANISH FORT, Ala. — On your marks.

Get set.

Build!

It’s not surprising that Spanish Fort Middle School students will be raising funds over the next few weeks toward the construction of a Project Reach playground, benefiting students countywide who travel as far as two hours by bus each school day to participate in the program.

What’s truly amazing about the undertaking is how they plan to accomplish their goal.

SFMS Principal Craig Ross, a triathlete who will be competing in his second Ironman event Nov. 28, has organized a junior version of the triple-event competition for which participants are already seeking sponsors.

Although the actual “Going the Distance for Kids” is slated for Oct. 23 at the Daphne YMCA, Ross is holding a “training day” Oct. 15, during which the parking lot in front of the middle school’s gym will be cordoned off.

Ross will then run alongside the students as they run laps during their physical-education classes.

Supporters are asked to either make flat donations or pledge per 0.2-mile lap.

“My biggest drive — especially since I became principal this year — is to be sure I’m doing everything I can for these kids under my care, and the (Project Reach) kids are just a beacon of happiness and hope. They represent so many things we take for granted every day,” Ross said.

“The rest of my students are able to go to P.E. and run and play, but these kids need a special type of environment. They’re part of our SFMS family, and they deserve to have the ability to go outside and be safe.”

The price for the specialized playground falls somewhere between $50,000 and $60,000, Ross said, noting he doesn’t expect to hit that mark with one event, but he hopes the community will rally behind a project that can become a true source of pride and involvement.

“I want my students to be able to point to this playground when it’s completed and say, ‘I helped do that,’” he said.

All pledges for the Oct. 15 “training day” are tax deductible and checks should be made out to SFMS. Pledge forms were sent home with each student, and forms are also available on the school’s website at www.spanishfortmiddle.com.

Ironman Jr. Youth Triathlon

Who: Any child age 8-15

When: 8 a.m. Oct. 23

Where: Daphne YMCA

Why: To help raise funds for the middle-school special-needs children of Baldwin County. Proceeds will be used to build a playground for these students.

Distances: 50-yard swim; 3-mile bike ride; 1-mile run

Entry fee: $20. (Make check payable to Spanish Fort Middle School)

Entry forms: Available at the SFMS front desk or at www.spanishfortmiddle.com.

Completed forms and entry fees can be submitted to Spanish Fort Middle School, 33899 Jimmy Faulkner Drive, Spanish Fort, AL 36527.

Editor’s note: This is the first in a six-part series examining “Going the Distance for Kids,” a junior triathlon event organized by Spanish Fort Middle School to benefit the countywide Project Reach program housed on its campus.

Coming in the Oct. 13 Spanish Fort Sun: More information on Project Reach and specifics on the Oct. 15 Training Day.