First-graders from Washington Elementary School took off with enthusiasm on the school’s sixth annual Jog-A-Thon PTA fundraiser. Each student, including kindergarteners, solicited pledges from family and friends — not for the number of laps, but for participating. On Wednesday morning, kids in each grade had 20 minutes to walk, run, hop, skip or sprint around the school block, which is a fifth of a mile, as many times as they could. Parents, teachers and other students cheered them on.

Last year, students covered 484 miles and raised $12,000 to install voice amplification systems in each classroom. This year’s money will go toward a new computer lab and new headphones.

North End businesses, many of them owned or run by parents, sponsored the event and gave each student a free T-shirt and gift bag. “Just like a real race,” said principal Wendi Forrey.

“It’s a way to raise money and promote healthy lifestyles,” said Heather Cooper, PTA organizer. “They get to run and get a healthy snack afterward.”