Running Rocks!

We Run This City Youth Marathon Program Successful on Many Levels

linda — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:38:11 +0000

Program spurred significant increases in health of students

CLEVELAND (Feb. 26, 2009) – They came. They trained. They ran.

The results are in and the 2008 We Run This City Youth Marathon Program (WRTC) was a success in numerous aspects. Not only did the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K draw over 10,000 participants, it also provided 283 Cleveland Metropolitan School District 6th – 12th graders the opportunity to cross the finish line with professional and amateur runners, all the while becoming healthier.

Of the 283 students running on race day, 210 ran the 1.2 mile route specifically designated for the WRTC youth (the 26th mile in their two month training), 71 students ran the 10K (6.2 mile) portion of the race, and two brave students completed the half marathon (13.1 miles). This resulted in 718.4 miles run on race day, collectively.

“What is most impressive is the number of miles that the students ran in the 16 weeks prior to race day – over 10,000,” said Program Director Tara Taylor. “The training the children received in the months prior to the event resulted in a number of improvements, ranging from their physical health, self-esteem and lifestyle choices.”

The Center for Health Promotion Research at Case Western Reserve University, a WRTC program partner, plays an integral role in the program, performing the pre- and post-race day assessments for each of the youth participants. 2008 evaluation measures highlighted some of the following results: 35 percent of the children running the 1.2 miles were considered having pre- or hypertensive blood pressure prior to the program, as measured by NHLBI standards. Post evaluation results indicated a 10 percent decrease in hypertension with a drop to 25 percent, most significantly in the pre-hypertensive area, dropping from 22.7 percent to 13.6 percent.

10K youth participant results showed an even higher drop with, 42 percent pre- or hypertensive blood pressure prior to the training program, dropping to 23 percent post-race. Both categories experienced dramatic reductions of 5.2 and 13.8 percent, respectively.

Also improving was the amount of time the students could endure physical activity, increased strength, and a decrease in the fat content found in the triceps.
“Although the physical changes the students displayed are impressive, it is the changes to their self-image and their extra-curricular activity choices that deserve our acknowledgements,” Taylor said. “The children are getting better grades, experiencing better relationships with their peers, spending more of their free time engaged in physical activities rather than watching television or playing video games, and, above all, have an improved self-perception.”

“Each one of these improvements is a success in and of itself; but collectively, it’s an immense accomplishment for the program,” says Ralph Staph, Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon race director. “Providing an outlet for health and fitness in the community is the purpose for our marathon. We are quite pleased that outlet is available and beneficial to our children as well.”

Dedicated to encouraging healthy habits and exercise in Cleveland’s young people, We Run This City formative years began as a collaboration between the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, Steps to a Healthier Cleveland, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) and The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. The catalyst of the collaboration was the Cleveland Department of Public Health (CDPH) receipt of a multi-million, multi-year cooperative agreement from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2004 Steps to a Healthier US initiative to form Steps to a Healthier Cleveland. In 2005, the YMCA of USA joined Steps to a Healthier US. It was in 2006 that We Run This City Youth Marathon Program trained 81 CMSD 6th – 8th graders. The program participation rates have nearly doubled in size every year since 2006. With generous contributions from Steps to a Healthier Cleveland, the Medical Mutual of Ohio Charitable Foundation-The Cleveland Foundation, St. Luke’s Foundation, the Mt. Sinai Foundation, and the Ohio Department of Health, the WRTC program is able to provide programming for 500 Cleveland students.
In 2008, Dr. Eugene Sanders, CEO of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and Glen Haley, CEO of the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, both participated in the race. Taylor says they anticipate that both leaders will be returning to the streets this May to support the youth. One of the participating students plans to invite Cleveland’s Mayor, Frank G. Jackson, to compete with them in the 2009 race on Sunday, May 17 in downtown Cleveland.

“This program is of the utmost importance to our community,” said Haley. “Health and fitness among our youth is becoming a large concern in Cuyahoga County, and having an outlet for these kids is going to be beneficial on so many levels as they grow to be the next generations of working adults. I truly enjoyed participating along side of the kids and seeing the pride they had for their outstanding accomplishments.”

The Cleveland Department of Public Health received funding from the Ohio Department of Health to expand the 2009 WRTC program to include a family component. Encouraging healthy behaviors for the entire family, parents of the marathon participants will have a unique opportunity to also join the marathon as they support their son or daughter in the program. As an incentive for their participation, the ODH funding will allow the YMCA to offer free three-month memberships in order to train for the marathon. For those parents participating, the son or daughter will also receive a three month membership to the YMCA. Parents will also have the opportunity to receive free running shoes and a Body Age Screening conducted by the YMCA.

Like most sponsorships, Steps to a Healthier Cleveland’s funding will expire later this year, and this means the program coordinators are scrambling to find other ways for students to participate in We Run This City in the future.

“What the program needs now is sustainability,” says Taylor. “We know that the program is succeeding, but we need to find a way for more and more of our city’s youth to participate.”

Taylor suggests several ways for individuals or businesses to assist in program sponsorship: help in promoting the program and their campaign with Clear Channel and Radio One, speak at one of the Business Council or Community Consortium meetings, or sponsor a student or school and follow them throughout their training. Any of these ways will help support the program, and, in turn, support a child in becoming a healthier adult, she says.

The 2009 WRTC pre-evaluation marathon activities have recently begun. Over 500 students took part in the pre-evaluation program and are expected to participate in the 2009 race day event on May 17. Training has already begun for the half marathon and 10K students, and training for the students who will run the last 1.2 miles on race day began February 23.

For further information on the We Run This City Youth Marathon Program, call (216) 263-6298. To learn more about the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K on Sunday, May 17, 2009, visit www.clevelandmarathon.com or call 800-467-3826.

ING Run for Something Better receives Healthy Youth Award

linda — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 23:23:10 +0000

Acting Surgeon General recognizes school-based running program for promoting healthy lifestyle

Financial services leader ING today received the Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future Champion Award from the Surgeon General for its ING Run For Something Better (ING RFSB) program. The Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future project focuses on recognizing and showcasing those communities throughout the nation that are addressing childhood obesity through prevention. They focus on programs that help kids stay active, encourage healthy eating habits and promote healthy choices. ING RFSB funds running and physical-fitness education programs in schools, offering children a healthy start in life and fostering their desire to exercise before obesity ever begins. "Teaching our children the importance of eating well and being physically active at a young age is crucial to reversing the trend of obesity in this country,” said Acting Surgeon General Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H, a rear admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service. “Everyone has a role to play in this fight to prevent childhood overweight and obesity.”

Rear Adm. Galson presented the award during his nationwide tour to promote the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention Initiative. Rhonda Mims, president of the ING Foundation, accepted the award on behalf of ING at the champion awards ceremony at the New Schools at Carver School of Health Sciences and Research. New Schools at Carver also received an award for helping local teenagers develop healthy habits through innovative health education and physical-activity programs. “Georgia is to be commended for its efforts in mobilizing communities, schools, government, businesses and committed individuals,” added Galson.

“ING is committed to our nation’s schools and educators. We also recognize the importance of giving back to the communities where we do business, and that’s why we developed the program to help combat childhood obesity and promote kids’ fitness,” said Mims. “Since 2007, over 3,250 students from Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County Schools and Decatur Middle School have run over 42,500 miles collectively through ING Run For Something Better,” added Mims.

As the sponsor of a number of premier running events in the U.S., ING has been encouraging young people to get physically fit while helping Americans be more fiscally fit. Since the program’s inception in 2003, ING RFSB’s national campaign has funded free, school-based programs in which more than 40,000 children have collectively run over 1.2 million miles.

In 2006, ING also created the Orange Laces program – a public fundraising campaign that encourages everyone to join the cause. When someone donates $10 or more, ING gives them a pair of orange shoelaces to show they are “tied” to kids’ fitness. One hundred percent of the net proceeds from Orange Laces donations go directly to ING Run For Something Better fitness programs.

###

Press inquiries:

Audria (Aud) Belton Benn

ING

Office: 770.980.5715

Cell: 404.934.8743

audria.benn@us.ing.com

Elementary Schools to Receive Marine Corps Marathon Healthy School Award

linda — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 22:59:24 +0000

Lynbrook Elementary, Eagle View Elementary and Hollin Meadows Science & Math Focus School Honored for Participation in Healthy Kids Fun Run

QUANTICO, VA- Three schools from Fairfax County will receive the 2008 Healthy School Awards. Lynbrook Elementary, Eagle View Elementary and Hollin Meadows Science & Math Focus School were the schools with the greatest number of students participating in the Healthy Kids Fun Run, a one-mile just for fun event, conducted on October 25, 2008, the day prior to the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM).The award is presented annually by the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) and its partner, Washington FAMILY Magazine to promote health and fitness. Washington FAMILY Magazine will make a financial donation to each the school’s physical education department.

“The MCM is excited to once again partner with Washington FAMILY Magazine to present this award,” said Rick Nealis, Director. “Students at these three schools have shown their dedication to health and physical fitness to their fellow students, teachers, parents and the local community and should be very proud of their efforts!”

Lynbrook Elementary School in Springfield, VA brought 256 runners. Eagle View Elementary School in Fairfax, VA had 225 participants. Hollin Meadows Science & Math Focus School in Alexandria, VA registered 122 runners. This is the seventh win for Lynbrook Elementary, the third win for Eagle View Elementary and the first win for Hollin Meadows Science & Math Focus School.

The award will be presented to each school during assemblies this winter featuring exciting activities and special guests including Ronald McDonald, Miles, the MCM Mascot and the National Children’s Museum’s “Museum without Walls” program.

Voted “Best Marathon for Families”, the Marine Corps Marathon continues a combined tradition of dedication, sportsmanship and patriotism. Runners from all walks of life have participated in the world’s largest marathon to not offer prize money, deservingly earning the nickname “The People’s Marathon.” The 34th Marine Corps Marathon to be held on October 25, 2009 in Arlington, VA is presented by USAA, Brooks Sports, Inc., and CVS Caremark.

No federal or Marine Corps endorsement implied. For media information, contact Beth Johnson, Marine Corps Marathon Public Relations Coordinator at (703) 432-1165, or Elizabeth.Johnson1@usmc.mil.

JUST RUN! Just Kids 3K Posts Another Success

linda — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:41:10 +0000

The JUST RUN! Just Kids 3K, a fun run held on Monterey Bay in early November, provided another great focal point for youth participating in a JUST RUN training program.

Geared toward students aged 5-12 – the target range of JUST RUN’s youth fitness program – the event drew all ages, as moms and dads, brothers and sisters, even grandparents ran the distance with their kids. “It’s truly a family event,” said Big Sur Marathon race director Wally Kastner.

The run was situated on historic Cannery Row in Monterey, CA, and encompassed a scenic stretch of coastline in the adjacent town of Pacific Grove. Upon crossing the finish line all participants received a medallion, a themed t-shirt, abundant finish line food, and complimentary children’s passes to the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium and the newly opened IMAX theatre. Live music, arts and craft stations, an exercise area manned by the local hospital and prize drawings were also part of the post-race festivities.

The JUST RUN race kicked off the Big Sur Half Marathon event weekend. The 3K was immediately followed by the Run Forrest Run 5K, which drew an additional 658 runners. Both events were geared toward families. “It’s a great way for a family to come out and get healthy,” stated JUST RUN developer Mike Dove. “They came, they ran, they smiled, they laughed, they had a great time, and they were proud,” added Susan Love, program administrator. The Half Marathon on Monterey Bay took place the following day, drawing more than 6,000 runners and walkers to compete on a scenic coastal course in Monterey and Pacific Grove.

The next JUST RUN! Just Kids 3K will be held on Saturday, April 25, the day preceding the 24th Big Sur International Marathon.

For more information, visit www.justrun.org or call 831.625.6226.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Donation Presented to Crim

linda — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:03:16 +0000

FLINT (WJRT) -- (10/16/08)-- The Flint-based Crim Fitness Foundation received an unexpected gift today.

The Crim Fitness Foundation, known for its annual Crim Festival of Races, was given a boost in its efforts to get area children more physically fit. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Outstate Michigan is giving the group $12,500. There was a brief check presentation ceremony at the Crim offices in Flint this morning.

The money will allow the Crim Fitness Foundation to reach an estimated 2,500 additional children throughout Genesee County. Youths who participate in the CrimFit Mileage Club will see more adult mentors in the running and walking programs.

The money will be used to keep the kids motivated to reach their fitness goals.

Gerry Myers is the Crim Foundation CEO. "We've created programming that provides them with shoe laces and toe tokens, certain kinds of things that are motivational for the child so they become more physically active, put in more activity and based on that level of activity they get incentives. These dollars are used to provide those incentives to the kids."

"When we heard about fighting obesity and giving children a better and healthier lifestyle, we got excited," said Samuel Cox with Ronald McDonald House Charities.

"We've done into the schools at structured time where we've recognized a certain course and distance. Those kids go out on their own and keep track of their distance," Myers said.

Bobby Crim, the founder of the Crim Festival of Races, says the donation is a pleasant surprise and more gifts may be on the way.

Happy Feet Club joins Running USA Model Programs

linda — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:16:11 +0000

The Happy Feet kids running and fitness club, developed by teacher, author and KidsRunning.com webmaster, Carol Goodrow, has become the seventh organization to be designated a Running USA Model Program.

The popular club which began in 2004 and emphasizes healthy eating, running, hiking, and literacy. Carol has developed a comprehensive curriculum for twenty weeks - 10 for fall and 10 for spring. Each session includes a running game, journal writing and take-home component. Because of her willingness to share ideas, a Model Program requirement, Happy Feet clubs are forming all over the country. The most recent ones have taken root in Michigan, New York, Virginia, and Maryland.

Happy Feet is for all ability levels. Currently there is a deaf student and the Happy Feet book has been translated into Braille.

Carol's local club, which always has a waiting list for the 40 spots, is for first and second graders but the materials can be easily adapted for older children. Parents attend and help with club each week and the goal event called the Chipmunk Chase is a family fun run.

Carol is looking forward to running in the Manchester Road Race with a blind student who was in her first club in 2004 and used a braille version of her book. Carol's books Happy Feet and Kids Running can be purchased in the recommended books page of the Running Rocks website: http://www.runningrocks.com/resources/books .

Running USA's Model Programs Ready for New School Year

linda — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 21:21:40 +0000

Many students returned to school this fall carrying a few extra pounds, and not just in their backpacks. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association this year, "Nearly 32 percent of U.S. children and adolescents are overweight or obese (at or above the 85th percentile of BMI for age)." (JAMA) Recent studies have emphasized the importance of helping youth develop healthy behaviors early in life. One sobering study reported that the number of fat cells one has is set by late adolescence so older children can lose weight but they can't lose their fat cells. (WPost) Another disturbing trend reported by the Associated Press is the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children. (AP) If the condition is not reversed, it can lead to cirrhosis, a condition previously associated only with drinking excessive alcohol or hepatitis. The best way to reverse the condition is through weight loss but typically only 1 in 4 kids that doctors see for this condition are successful in losing significant weight. The patients that are successful are supported by families who make lifestyle changes together.

Changing lifestyles is very difficult and ideally families, schools and communities need to work together. High profile running events with access to many dedicated volunteers and coaches offer an excellent foundation for publicizing the need for healthy habits and for providing low cost fitness programs during or after school. Event members of Running USA, the nation's premier association for the running industry, have worked hard to improve the fitness of their communities by providing turnkey programs for teachers, parents, boys and girls clubs and entire school districts. Six of these organizations - the Big Sur International Marathon, Atlanta Track Club (producer of Peachtree 10K), Michigan's Crim Festival of Races, Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, GO! St. Louis Marathon and the ING New York City Marathon - have earned the designation of "Model Program" for their youth fitness initiatives. Each organization's program has unique components but they all follow best practices for an affordable, effective youth fitness program which can be duplicated in other parts of the country.

The six Model Programs are described below. The "community context" provides state-by-state adult obesity data from "F as in Fat, How Obesity Policies are Failing in America" by the Trust For American Health. (TFAH)

Atlanta Track Club's Kilometer Kids, Atlanta, Georgia

[Community context: 27.5% of Georgia adults were obese in 2007, a significant increase over the previous year. The state also ranked #9 for number of adults with Diabetes (9.2%).]

The Atlanta Track Club's Kilometer Kids Fall Training Program began on September 15. After just a few years the director, Tina Klein, has noticed improved attitudes about fitness as well as actual weight loss. This year, the program has expanded to serve 16 elementary and middle schools via YMCA sites and 8 Boys & Girls Clubs in the Metro Atlanta area.

The 10-week program encourages kids to run 2.5 miles each week with their final mile taking place at the finish of The Weather Channel Atlanta Marathon on Thanksgiving Day. Children track their progress on a running log and receive different incentive prizes along the way. Also included during the ten weeks are optional one mile fun runs as part of Atlanta Track Club races.

Last spring, the ATC's Kilometer Kids Program was inducted into the Atlanta Falcon's Youth Fitness (AFYF) Signature Program Partners. Through cross-organizational learning and leadership in partnerships with the AFYF, YMCA, GoGirlGo, Community Foundation of Atlanta, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, and sponsors Nike, Chick-fil-A and Atlanta Braves, Kilometer Kids will increase the impact of the collective effort of combating childhood obesity.

CrimFit Youth Program, Crim Festival Foundation, Flint, Michigan

[Community context: Michigan has 27.7% adult obesity, a significant increase over previous year and #10 on the nation's highest obesity rate list.]

Year 3 of the Crim Youth Program Expansion, funded by the Ruth Mott Foundation, which takes the popular CrimFit Youth Program Mileage Club to all 23 City of Flint elementary schools, kicked off in Mid-September. Activities included all-school assemblies with appearances by Running Bear, the CrimFit Youth Program mascot, and the CrimFit Youth Program "Book Mobile" delivering copies of our Running Bear and the Crim Kids story book to each school's library.

Student progress and achievement are tracked during the course of the school year and children receive various incentives when they reach certain mileage or time benchmarks as does the school's Physical Education Department. The blending of individual-based and institutional-based incentives helps schools stretch their limited resources while providing students with a structured, results-oriented physical fitness program. A unique incentive structure, piloted in half of the participating schools, is testing the strategy and success of institutional-based incentives. Approximately 7,800 students in grades K to 6 will participate during the 2008 / 2009 school year.

In addition to the programs within the City of Flint, the CrimFit Youth Program Mileage Clubs are also being offered to 15 elementary schools and 6,000 students located throughout greater Genesee County. For more information regarding the Crim Fitness Foundation, the CrimFit Youth Program, or the CrimFit Feelin' Good® Mileage Club please contact Charlotte Paul, Program Director, cpaul@crim.org.

GO! St. Louis Read, Right & Run Marathon®, St. Louis, Missouri

[Community context: 27.4% of Missouri adults are obese, a significant increase over previous year.]

The GO! St. Louis Read, Right & Run Marathon® youth program presented by Centene Corporation, gets to the starting line in early October. More than 24,000 area students from 170 schools are expected to participate during the 2008-09 school year. The program, which is open to students from grades K-8, encourages them to Read 26 books, Right the community with 26 good deeds and Run 26 miles over a six month period. The program has also recently expanded to include middle school students who have a more challenging goal of an ultramarathon (50 miles).

The program received a tremendous boost this year, when the St. Louis Public Schools, the largest school district in Missouri, recognized the impact of the program and incorporated it into their core curriculum. The nationally-recognized initiative works closely with physical educators, literacy coaches, principals and parents, who serve as program coordinators and guide the children in their quest to complete the integrated marathon.

At the annual kickoff event held in early November, students will be introduced to the 3 components of the program with a storytelling area which includes book suggestions, an informative presentation from community partner REI which teaches them the importance of protecting the environment and a one-mile trail run. Every participating student receives a colorful 40-page journal to chart their progress throughout the year.

The GO! St. Louis Read, Right & Run Marathon program began in 2001 and has impacted the lives of thousands of local students. It is one of the various youth initiatives GO! St. Louis coordinates on a year-round basis to fight youth obesity and build strong character.

JUST RUN®, Big Sur International Marathon, Monterey, California (and elsewhere)

[Community context: California had "only" 23.1% obese adults in 2007 which was not a significant increase from the previous year. The target group that the original Just Run program serves is predominantly Hispanic. Hispanic adults in the U.S. have a 36.9% obesity rate compared to 29.7% of whites.]

Registration for the JUST RUN® youth fitness program is open for the 2008 - 2009 school year. The organizers were busy during the summer, updating the website and adding exciting new features. Students may now track their mileage in a new, virtual run across Europe as well as in a journey across the USA. JUST RUN is also proud of an entirely new addition to the program - JUST TASTE. This is an educational feature that focuses on healthy eating as a vital compliment to physical activity.

At the end of the 2007-08 academic school year, Big Sur International Marathon's JUST RUN reached many new milestones. Nearly 6,800 children logged over 225,000 miles and 25,000 JUST DEEDS (acts of good citizenship) were completed, far surpassing all expectations. Statistics compiled from the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District from 2005 through 2007 revealed a significant improvement in aerobic capacity for the schools who participated in JUST RUN compared to those that didn't. In fact, all other fitness categories tested showed improvement in the JUST RUN schools whereas students in the non-JUST RUN schools showed a decrease in performance in most categories. Also, 96% of the students surveyed at the end of the 2006-07 school year wanted to continue the following year, 93% of the students indicated they were making healthier food choices and 70% of the students said that their entire family became involved in running and physical activity because of the JUST RUN program.

This successful program continues to expand rapidly. In just its fourth year, programs targeting high school students are being added and because of extensive online resources, organizations in 14 states and 67 schools throughout the country have been able to join the supportive JUST RUN community.

Medtronic TC Kids Marathon, Minneapolis, Minnesota

[Community context: 24.8% of adults in Minnesota are obese, a significant increase from previous year.]

On October 4 more than 2,500 kids coming from 35 schools will take part in the fall culminating event of the Medtronic TC Kids Marathon, a year-round, online training program. All of the Medtronic TC Family Events which include the Diana Pierce Family Mile presented by Medica, Half Mile presented by ING, Diaper Dash presented by Pioneer Press, Toddler Trot presented by Flint Hills Resources and Harry and Shelly's Mascot Invitational occur the day before the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and will have a total of 5,000 participants. Registration is open online through Friday, September 26 at: MTCMarathon.org

Helpful online materials which encourage fitness and multi-week training are available to anyone, anywhere on MTCMarathon.org. In fact, many international visitors come to the site each month. The Medtronic TC Kids Marathon website community has 1,637 registered members. Since February of 2007 to-date, 111,208 miles have been logged by 134 entities which include both schools and families and over 10,000 incentives have been given to participants. In two or three months, a new nutrition section will be added to the site that is a result of a partnership with the American Heart Association.

Mighty Milers and Young Runners, New York Road Runner Foundation, New York

[Community context: 25.3% of adult New Yorkers are obese, a significant increase over the previous year.]

In this new school year the New York Road Runners Foundation has ambitious plans to increase the service population from 50,000 to 100,000 children a week in New York City, nationally and internationally. Other impressive goals for the school year include:
* Establishment of at least one Mighty Milers program in each of the 50 states.
* Continue refining the award-wining Mighty Milers database, which provides every child, teacher and school with their own personalized web page so as to further enhance each participant's and provider's program experience
* Complete and disseminate a new "How to Run" video, a grade appropriate tool for teachers, coaches and any adults seeking to motivate and instruct youth to run enjoyably and healthfully
* Complete and disseminate their nutrition curriculum for grades K-8 which will provide detailed instruction in the delivery of short lessons combining physical movement with top line nutritional information.

The NYRR Foundation provides incentives and instruction to teachers to make Mighty Milers easy to integrate into daily school life. Kids of all fitness levels and abilities learn to walk or run a half-mile, two to five times a week. Students set goals and the online database makes it easy to record and tally the total distance each student accumulates. When students reach milestones, they earn incentives provided by the NYRRF. The Mighty Milers is free to qualifying schools and community centers around the country. Teachers, principals and administrators can complete a short online application and learn immediately if they qualify for a free Mighty Milers program. Schools that don't qualify for the free program can still apply, but would be required to pay a fee if they are accepted. All schools that are accepted will receive everything they need to implement a program. See NYRRF.org for the online application form and more information.

Sources

WPost - Levine, S., B. Maloney, B. Schulte and R. Stein. "How Obesity Harms a Child's Body." The Washington Post, May 18, 2008.

JAMA - "High Body Mass Index for Age among U.S. Children and Adolescents, 2003-2006", Journal of the American Medical Association 299, no. 20 (2008): 2401-2405.

AP - Linda A. Johnson, Associated Press, September, 2008.

TFAH - "F as in Fat, How Obesity Policies are Failing in America" by the Trust for American Health. Data is from CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a state-based annual survey of 350,000 adults. Individual state trends were tracked and NO states saw a decrease in adult obesity last year. For more information see http://healthyamericans.org.

For more information on obesity trends, including an animated map, visit: www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/trend/maps. To learn more about CDC's efforts in the fight against obesity or for more information about nutrition, physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight, visit: www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa

Running USA's State of the Sport Part V: Trends in Youth Running

linda — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:14:27 +0000

The youth component of the sport is healthy and parallels growth and trends of the adult running population in the U.S. In the eighties and nineties, many U.S. road races added kids runs that gave participants a medal, t-shirt and opportunity to feel part of the race day celebration. In those early years, smaller or younger kids were likely to get run over at the start, and at the finish there were often more tears than smiles. To make the events more enjoyable, race directors began emphasizing the non-competitive aspect and added more fun stuff like climbing walls, face painting and random prize drawings. Except for a few "natural runners", the seasonal kids run had little to do with the boring lap completions that students did during PE, at least before PE was eliminated in many areas.

The introduction of charity runs and training groups for adults and school jogathons continued to put the focus on participating at a comfortable pace in order to go the distance. "Races" of all types evolved into "Fun Runs" or goal events like Marathons that just needed to be completed to qualify for a celebration. Today, the fitness goals that help bring adult runners to the streets (see State of the Sport Part II) also bring more youth to events and increase the numbers who are prepared enough to increase the odds of having a positive experience. As Tables 1 and 2 illustrate, the percent of younger runners in road events has stayed about the same over the last 2 decades, but the total pie has grown considerably. For example, in 1992, there were 198,000 5K finishers (or 18% of the overall total) between the ages of 5 and 19 inclusive compared to 616,140 in 2007 (also 18%) or more than a three-fold absolute increase from 1992 to 2007.

Table 1: Younger Age Groups in U.S. Road Running Events

Percent of Youth Age 6 to 17 years Race Finishers			2005	2006	2007
Timed Female Road Race Finishers: 6 to 17 yrs (RRIC)			7.5%	8.2%	7.9%
Timed Male Road Race Finishers: 6 to 17 yrs (RRIC)			7.7%	8.6%	8.6%

Percent of College Age Race Finishers			2005	2006	2007
Timed Road Race Female Finishers: 18 to 24 yrs (RRIC)			11.3%	11.3%	11%
Timed Road Race Male Finishers: 18 to 24 yrs (RRIC)			6.8%	7.0%	7.2%

source: Running USA RRIC

Table 2: Youth Road Running Event Participation by Distance
	1992	2002	2005	2006	2007
5K
Timed Road Race Finishers: 5 to 19 yrs (RRIC)	18%	14.1%	17.6%	18.6%	18.0%
10K
Timed Road Race Finishers: 5 to 19 yrs (RRIC)	6%	8.5%	7.3%	8.6%	8.6%
Half-Marathon
Timed Road Race Finishers: 5 to 19 yrs (RRIC)	n/a	2.3%	2.6%	3.0%	3.1%
Marathon
Timed Road Race Finishers: 5 to 19 yrs (RRIC)	1%	2.1%	1.9%	1.8%	2.0%

source: Running USA RRIC

Kids Runs Combine Fun with Fitness and Achievement
The most successful running experiences for young people - those with the most growth - are able to combine fun, fitness and achievement. There are more kids runs than ever before. Many adult events that started with Diaper Dashes, Toddler Trots and half-miles have added miles and 5Ks for kids only. Other kids runs are being added to the local race calendar or increasing participation as the goal event for a certain season and a running-based fitness program. At least half of the Largest Kids Runs compiled by Running USA's Road Running Information Center found at www.runningusa.org/cgi/evbg-youth.pl are the goal event for a training or fitness program. Other youth event trends include a focus on family participation, increased promotions in the schools and fun extras like mascot races.

Running USA has compiled a Youth Running Event Calendar that can be seen at www.RunningRocks.com/events, a new youth resources portal to be officially launched soon. Youth event directors are invited to add their events as dates become known.

Growth of Competitive Running in Secondary Schools
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) compiles athletics participation numbers which show increases in both track and field and cross country through 2007. Over the six year period from Fall 2001 to Spring 2007, Cross Country grew by 14.5% to 183,376 for girls and 13% to 216,085 for boys. The 1-year increase was about 4% for each gender. For Outdoor Track and Field, the six-year increase was 7% to 444,181 for girls and 10% to 544,180 for boys, with a one-year increase of 1% for girls and 2% for boys. Similar to recent years, 46% of high school cross country participants and 45% of outdoor track and field participants are female. See NFHS.org for updated data later in the fall.

The SGMA Insight08 report cautions, however, that the sports industry should not count on continued growth from school team sports. "The key market for most sports equipment, athletic footwear and sports apparel is the group aged 5 to 19 and it is growing slowly. In fact, participation levels in most team sports tend to peak around age 11. Team sports participation was buoyed in the 1990s by a flood of girls getting into sports for the first time. While girls will continue to play, high school data suggests that the number of women athletes is now increasing no faster than the number of boy athletes." Cross country may or may not continue to have annual growth but regardless, potential numbers of younger competitive sports participants are much smaller than potential fitness participants - especially given that the obesity crisis has caught the attention of most parents and school districts in America.

Training Programs Proliferating
Training or running-based fitness programs for youth are taking root all over the country and increasing the number of youth runs and / or youth divisions of existing events. Some of the more established programs that have been identified as "models" by Running USA, are expanding into other states. In celebration of New York Road Runner's 50th Anniversary, for example, the NYRR Foundation has a goal of assisting groups in all 50 states with the development of a new program this school year. Just Run's extensive online resources, developed by the Big Sur International Marathon with the help of Active.com have enabled new programs to flourish in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and Washington. Many of the programs that started with a few elementary schools are adding more school districts as well as older grades this fall.

The original successful model for training non-running high school students has been and still is Students Run LA which began in 1989. Their mission is "to challenge at-risk secondary students to experience the benefits of goal-setting, character development, adult mentoring and improved health by providing them with a truly life-changing experience - training for and the completion of the City of Los Angeles Marathon." In 2007, 450 teachers and coaches worked with 3,500 students and almost 3,000 of the program's participants achieved their goal. Students Run LA and Students Run Oakland helped 3,078 youth 19 and under (or 15% of the overall race total) finish the 2007 marathon compared to 2,178 (or 11%) of the 2004 marathon field. Typical marathons have only 1% of the under-20 age group. Because the goals are ambitious and the need for qualified mentors is great there have been few programs like Students Run LA, but a "Tool Kit" developed with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has assisted the establishment of similar programs in Philadelphia, Poughkeepsie, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Maine, Arizona and about a dozen other places.

To keep up with the expansion of running based programs, check out the Programs Directory on the new portal RunningRocks.com.

F as in Fat 2008, How Obesity Policies are Failing in America

linda — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:05:16 +0000

Adult Obesity Rates Rise in 37 States, Obesity Rates Now Exceed 25% in More Than Half of States

Rates increased for a second consecutive year in 24 states and for a third consecutive year in 19 states.

Adult obesity rates increased in 37 states in the past year, according to the fifth annual F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America, 2008 report from the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). Rates rose for a second consecutive year in 24 states and for a third consecutive year in 19 states. No state saw a decrease. Though many promising policies have emerged to promote physical activity and good nutrition in communities, the report concludes that they are not being adopted or implemented at levels needed to turn around this health crisis.

More than 25 percent of adults are obese in 28 states, which is an increase from 19 states last year. More than 20 percent of adults are obese in every state except Colorado. In 1991, no state had an obesity rate above 20 percent. In 1980, the national average of obese adults was 15 percent. Now, an estimated two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese, and an estimated 23 million children are either overweight or obese (the report does not include new state-level data for children this year).

The F as in Fat report finds that rates of type 2 diabetes, a disease typically associated with obesity, grew in 26 states last year. Four states now have diabetes rates that are above 10 percent, and all 10 states with the highest rates of diabetes and hypertension are in the South. The report also found a relationship between poverty and obesity levels. Seven of the 10 states with the highest obesity rates are also in the top 10 for highest poverty rates.

"America's future depends on the health of our country. The obesity epidemic is lowering our productivity and dramatically increasing our health care costs. Our analysis shows that we're not treating the obesity epidemic with the urgency it deserves," said Jeff Levi, Ph.D., executive director of TFAH. "Even though communities have started taking action, considering the scope of the problem, the country's response has been severely limited. For significant change to happen, combating obesity must become a national priority."

The F as in Fat report is a follow-up analysis of the annual Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The latest survey results showed Mississippi with the highest rate of obesity and Colorado with the lowest rate. Eleven of the 15 states with the highest obesity rates are in the South. Northeastern and Western states continue to have the lowest obesity rates. F as in Fat provides a trend analysis of the BRFSS data using a methodology recommended by the CDC. Rankings are based on three years of data (2005-07) that are averaged for each state's obesity rate. This methodology reflects a truer representation of the data for comparative purposes in order to rank states and examine changes over time.

The report also provides an annual review of state and federal policies aimed at reducing or preventing obesity in children and adults.It shows that many policies are missing critical components or require a more comprehensive approach to be truly effective. Among the examples highlighted:

* While all 50 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws related to physical education and/or physical activity in schools, only 13 states include enforceability language. Of these states, only four have sanctions or penalties if the laws are not implemented.

* While the Dietary Guidelines for Americans were updated in 2005, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) school meal program has yet to adopt the recommendations.

* Eighteen states have enacted legislation requiring school meals to exceed USDA nutrition standards. However, only seven of these laws have specific enforcement provisions, and only two state laws include sanctions if its requirements are not met.

* Ten states do not include specific coverage for nutrition assessment and counseling for obese or overweight children in their Medicaid programs (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefits).

* Twenty states explicitly do not cover nutritional assessment and consultation for obese adults under Medicaid.

* Only Georgia and Vermont have specific guidelines for treating obese adults in their Medicaid programs. In Nebraska and South Carolina, the Medicaid programs specifically state that obesity is not an illness and is therefore not covered.

* Forty-five states allow using obesity or health status as a risk factor to deny coverage or raise premiums. Only five states do not allow using obesity or health status to deny coverage or raise premiums.

"Despite widespread acknowledgement that obesity is endangering the health of millions of Americans, the country is still failing to respond clearly or comprehensively," said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., RWJF president and C.E.O. "We must work together, governments, schools and communities, to improve nutrition and increase physical activity for all ages. We must ensure that strong policies are implemented and enforced in every state, not only to help reverse existing obesity rates, but to prevent obesity among our nation's children-and generations to come."

"The report shows the serious impact that the obesity crisis is having on our country's health and economic well-being," said former President Bill Clinton, who co-leads the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a partnership between the William J. Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association that works to advance innovative approaches combating childhood obesity and helping children live healthier lives. "We need to continue to work to create a real push towards reversing the obesity epidemic. It is time we make it a national priority," President Clinton added.

The F as in Fat report concludes with a recommendation that the country set a national goal of reversing the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015. To help achieve that goal, the report's top recommendation calls on the federal government to convene partners from state and local governments, businesses, communities, and schools to create and implement a realistic, comprehensive National Strategy to Combat Obesity. Some key policy recommendations include:

* Investing in effective community-based disease-prevention programs that promote increased physical activity and good nutrition;

* Improving the nutritional quality of foods available in schools and childcare programs;

* Increasing the amount and quality of physical education and activity in schools and childcare programs;

* Increasing access to safe, accessible places for physical activity in communities. Examples include creating and maintaining parks, sidewalks and bike lanes and providing incentives for smart growth designs that make communities more livable and walkable;

* Improving access to affordable nutritious foods by providing incentives for grocery stores and farmers' markets to locate in underserved communities;

* Encouraging limits on screen time for children through school-based curricula and media literacy resources;

* Eliminating the marketing of junk food to kids;

* Encouraging employers to provide workplace wellness programs;

* Requiring public and private insurers to provide preventive services, including nutrition counseling for children and adults; and

* Providing people with the information they need about nutrition and activity to make educated decisions, including point-of-purchase information about the nutrition and calorie content of foods.

The full report with state rankings in all categories is available on TFAH's Web site at www.healthyamericans.org and RWJF's Web site at www.rwjf.org. The report was supported by a grant from RWJF.

State-By-State Adult Obesity Rankings

Note: 1 = Highest rate of adult obesity, 51 = lowest rate of adult obesity. Rankings are based on combining three years of data (2005-2007) from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to "stabilize" data for comparison purposes. This methodology, recommended by the CDC, compensates for any potential anomalies or usual changes due to the specific sample in any given year in any given state. States with statistically significant (p<0.05) increases for one year are noted with an asterisk (*), states with statistically significant increases for two years in a row are noted with two asterisks (**), states with statistically significant increases for three years in a row are noted with three asterisks (***).

Additional information about methodologies and confidence intervals are available in the report. Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) (a calculation based on weight and height ratios) of 30 or higher are considered obese.

1.Mississippi*** (31.7%); 2. West Virginia** (30.6%); 3. Alabama (30.1%); 4. Louisiana* (29.5%); 5. South Carolina*** (29.2%); 6. Tennessee** (29%); 7. Kentucky*** (28.4%); 8. (tie) Arkansas* (28.1%) and Oklahoma*** (28.1%); 10. Michigan** (27.7%); 11. (tie) Georgia* (27.5%) and Indiana (27.5%); 13. Missouri*** (27.4%); 14. Alaska (27.3%); 15. Texas* (27.2%); 16. North Carolina*** (27.1%); 17. Ohio (26.9%); 18. Nebraska*** (26.5%); 19. Iowa* (26.3%); 20. South Dakota*** (26.1%); 21. (tie) Delaware*** (25.9%) and North Dakota (25.9%); 23. Kansas** (25.8%); 24. Pennsylvania* (25.7%); 25. Wisconsin (25.5%); 26. Illinois* (25.3%); 27. (tie) Maryland*** (25.2%) and Virginia (25.2%); 29. Oregon*** (25%); 30. Minnesota* (24.8%); 31. Idaho* (24.6%); 32. Washington*** (24.5%); 33. Wyoming*** (24%); 34. Maine (23.7%); 35. (tie) Nevada (23.6%) and New Hampshire*** (23.6%); 37. New York* (23.5%); 38. (tie) Arizona* (23.3%) and Florida (23.3%) and New Mexico*** (23.3%); 41. California (23.1%); 42. New Jersey*** (22.9%); 43. Washington, D.C. (22.1%); 44. Utah (21.8%); 45. Montana* (21.7%); 46. Rhode Island*** (21.4%); 47. Vermont* (21.1%); 48. Massachusetts*** (20.9%); 49. Connecticut*** (20.8%); 50. Hawaii (20.7%); 51. Colorado** (18.4%)

Trust for America's Health is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to saving lives by protecting the health of every community and working to make disease prevention a national priority. www.healthyamericans.org

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. For more than 35 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. Helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need-the Foundation expects to make a difference in our lifetime.

Contacts for Journalists

Liz Richardson_Trust for America's Health_lrichardson@tfah.org_Office: (202) 223-9870 ext. 21

Laura Segal_Trust for America's Health_lsegal@tfah.org_Office: (202) 223-9870 ext. 27

Brooks® Sports Unveils Running Kicks for Kids

linda — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:08:51 +0000

Bothell, Wash. – Aug. 14, 2008 – Brooks Sports, Inc., a leading performance running company, today unveiled a new Kids’ footwear line designed to stand up to the scurried activity and biomechanical needs of young feet. Recognized for its premium running gear, Brooks continues its commitment to performance with the new Kids’ collection that features footwear technologies similar to those in Brooks’ award-winning adult running shoes.

Following extensive research and testing to ensure its tot-sized footwear provides the necessary level of stability without hindering the natural growth of the foot, Brooks opens the collection with two distinct shoes—the Kids’ Adrenaline™ GTS and the Kids’ Defyance. Both will offer styles for boys and girls. “Making sure kids have the right shoes early helps them grow up to be as smart about footwear as their parents,” said Fritz Taylor, senior vice president of Footwear for Brooks. “Whether they’re playing hopscotch or Kick the Can, running gym class apaches or around the block, kids want fun, and there’s nothing fun about kids’ shoes if they’re harmful to growing feet. That’s why we’ve taken great care to create the best possible styles that feel good, look great, and offer parents a way to invest in their kids’ health.”

Similar to its award-winning parent, the Kids’ Adrenaline™ GTS features Brooks’ proprietary Diagonal Rollbar (DRB^®), a support device that prevents inward rolling of the feet. Retailing for $60, the Kids’ Adrenaline™ GTS is available in sizes 1 to 7. The Kids’ Defyance is a neutral shoe made for smaller feet still taking shape. Modeled after the all new adult-sized Defyance that garnered Runner’s World’s coveted “Editor’s Choice” award in the June 2008 issue, the kids’ version retails for $55 and ranges from size 10.5—which fits an average four-year-old child—to size 7.

“When developing our new kids’ shoes, we didn’t simply shrink down our adult models and call it a day; we designed shoes that give support when necessary while allowing for natural musculo-skeletal development,” said Derek Campbell, materials engineer for Brooks. “We also understand the environments in which kids run and play, so we added reinforced toe caps and no-skid outsoles.”

In recent years the sporting goods industry has reported increased demand for kids’ running shoes. According to Sportscan, sales of kids’ running shoes have experienced an annual compound growth of 23 percent between 2005 and 2007. Additionally, the average retail price of kids’ running shoes has increased from $37.70 in 2005, to $46.64 in 2007, to $49.25 year-to-date for 2008.

“We really value our customers’ feedback, and many have expressed the desire to buy quality shoes for their children,” said Henry Guzman, footwear product line manager at Boulder Running Company, which consists of three stores in south Denver and Boulder, Colo. “We’re very excited a trusted brand like Brooks is delivering on this need—a brand that is building kids’ shoes up to a standard instead of down to a price.” Both the Kids’ Adrenaline™ GTS and the Kids’ Defyance feature enhanced cushioning technologies including HydroFlow^®, which dampens and disperses shock, and MoGo, a midsole compound proven to increase cushioning 40 percent and dispel fatigue by 33 percent.

Brooks’ Kids’ footwear line is available for purchase at Brooks Sports retailers worldwide and at www.brooksrunning.com.

About Brooks

Brooks Sports, Inc. is a leading running company that designs and markets a line of performance footwear, apparel, and accessories in more than 40 countries worldwide. A subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Brooks was founded in 1914 and is headquartered in Bothell, Wash., near Seattle. The company’s mission is to inspire everyone to run and be active by creating innovative gear that keeps them running longer, farther, and faster. Visit www.brooksrunning.com for more information.