Seventh-grader runs for kids who can't

Kimberly Peacock did a lot of running in February — 61 miles to be exact.

The Columbia Falls seventh-grader was the fastest person on the cross-country team last year — boy or girl. Her best mile is a few seconds more than 6 minutes — an excellent time for a 13-year-old.

Peacock recently put her running moxie to a greater cause. All those miles she ran in February were supported by pledges that will go to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which helps children with life-threatening medical conditions realize some of their aspirations. The pledge drive was part of Peacock’s advanced studies class.

“I wanted to stay in shape and I like helping people,” Peacock said last week. “It’s a really good cause and there’s a lot of kids with wishes.”

Peacock has been running competitively since she was 8 years old and likes the challenge of the sport.

“It doesn’t necessarily feel good while you’re doing it, but it feels good when you’re done,” she said.

Peacock also plays basketball, select soccer and track. She wants to run cross-country and track in high school and hopes to win a state title someday.

Peacock is the daughter of Jim and Heather Peacock. Jim is an assistant coach for the high school’s girls basketball team and the head coach of the girls freshmen team.