Running Rocks!

Study Shows Overwhelming Parent Support for Healthier Schools

tracy — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:36:08 +0000

Study Shows Overwhelming Parent Support for Healthier Schools

Oct. 28, 2009, RWJF Childhood Obesity News Digest

The vast majority of parents want schools to limit students’ access to high-calorie chips, sodas and candy and to offer them opportunities for physical activity throughout the day, a new survey by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation shows. The national survey signals the breadth of parents’ support for changes to make schools healthier places—and their willingness to help make those changes happen. In fact, nearly eight in 10 parents are ready to get more involved to create a healthier environment in their local schools.

Conducted for the Alliance by KRC Research, the survey found that more than 92 percent of parents consider physical education and health education as important as English, math and science instruction. Furthermore, 96 percent of parents believe that physical activity can boost their children’s classroom performance, and virtually all parents (99 percent) recognize that healthy eating also has a positive effect on learning.

The results indicate parents’ increasing awareness of the impact schools can have on student health. The survey also suggests widespread parental concern over the cuts many school systems have made in physical education and recess, often the unfortunate result of budget difficulties and standardized testing pressures.

“Schools across the country are trying their best to provide healthier environments for students, but they are working against significant time and resource constraints,” said Ginny Ehrlich, executive director of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. “What is exciting about the results of this survey is that not only do parents understand how important nutrition and physical activity are to the academic success of their children, but they are overwhelmingly willing to step up and be a part of the solution.”

Among the key findings from the online survey of 600 parents of children in grades K-12:

Parents nearly unanimously agree (98 percent) that their child’s school should offer opportunities for physical activity throughout the day, whether through P.E., activity breaks or recess and afterschool programs.
Almost as many parents (96 percent) agree that their child’s school should limit access to unhealthy snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages.
About two-thirds of parents (63 percent) believe schools play a major role in instilling healthy habits in students.
Four-fifths of parents have undertaken one or more health-related activity or advocacy effort in their local schools. Those include bringing nutritious foods to school parties or other events and pushing for healthier lunch menus or expanded health education for students.

“Parents get the connection between healthy schools, healthy students and academic achievement,” said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). “They know that most school environments need to be improved, and it’s incredibly encouraging that they stand ready to help make the changes necessary.”

The results of the Alliance survey follow recent research findings that students who are healthy and physically active are more likely to be motivated, attentive and successful academically. In particular, studies have linked P.E. programs to stronger academic performance, increased concentration and higher math, reading and writing test scores.

Yet data from the 2006 federal School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) shows that nearly one-third of elementary schools do not schedule recess on a regular basis, and almost one in four children in elementary grades do not participate in any free-time physical activity during school hours. Only half of high school students have at least one P.E. class weekly.

By contrast, progress has been made on the nutrition front. Based on SHPPS data from 2002 to 2008, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced that fewer secondary schools now allow students to buy candy or higher-fat salty snacks. And in 34 states studied, there was a significant increase between 2006 and 2008 in the percentage of schools where students could not purchase sodas.

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Original Source:
http://www.rwjf.org/childhoodobesity/product.jsp?id=50588

Study finds young kids spend almost all their time sitting around

tracy — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:36:51 +0000

26 October 2009

Research finds preschoolers spend 85 per cent of their time inactive
Results show that children are not meeting new national physical activity guidelines
Findings highlight need to address physical activity levels at a young age

Preschoolers are spending 85 per cent of their waking hours inactive, a Deakin University study has revealed.

“Despite popular belief that young children are always on the go, the results of the Healthy Active Preschool Years (HAPPY) study indicate that they are spending the majority of their time inactive,” said Deakin health researcher Trina Hinkley.

“The results of our study are concerning as they show that only 2.5 per cent of children aged three to five years are meeting the new national guideline of three hours of activity each day released by the Federal Government last week. Additionally, 63 per cent of the children in the study exceeded the guideline of one hour or less of TV/screen-based entertainment each day.”

For the HAPPY study, the physical activity levels of 501 children aged three to five years who had not started school were measured over eight days using activity monitors. The parents also completed a survey about their child’s activities and things that might influence their physical activity.

The results showed that the children spent an average of 85 per cent of their waking time being sedentary (sitting or standing still); 11 per cent in light intensity activity (light walking or standing activities) and four per cent in moderate-vigorous physical activity (jogging, fast bike riding etc). These findings are comparable with results from international studies in this age group.

“We know that physical activity declines throughout childhood and into adolescence, so beginning from such a low base, with such high levels of sedentary behaviour, is something we need to address now,” Ms Hinkley said.

“Interestingly, we saw a significant difference in the activity levels of the 5-year-olds compared with the 3-year-olds.

“The 5-year-olds spent only 3.3 per cent (around 23 minutes) of their time in moderate-vigorous activity compared with 6.3 per cent (around 45 minutes) in the 3-year-olds.

“That activity levels appear to be decreasing at such a young age is of concern. This might suggest that even in this young age group, the older children are being guided into more sedentary behaviours rather than being supported to engage in active opportunities. With the transition to school and a more structured learning environment, physical activity levels might decline even further.”

The study also revealed a difference in the activity levels of boys and girls.

“Even from a very young age, boys are more active than girls, with the boys in our study active for 11 minutes more than the girls each day,” Ms Hinkley said.

“Many studies have tried to engage adolescent girls in more physical activity. Given the results from this study, it may be necessary to target strategies even earlier in life to encourage girls to be more active by offering them opportunities to engage in activities, like dance, that they enjoy.”

Ms Hinkley believes that fathers play an important role in supporting their children’s physical activity levels.

“Fathers who were more active themselves had children who were more active,” Ms Hinkley said.

“Anecdotal evidence has suggested that fathers engage in more vigorous activities with their children than mothers do. From international research, we do know that children are more likely to be more active if their parents engage in active play with them.”

The study also found that, on average, 97 minutes were spent watching television each day, with 63 per cent of the children watching more than one hour and 27 per cent watching more than two hours each day.

“The new national guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviours in young children are aimed at supporting the development of healthy behaviours in our children. Encouraging children to be active as much as possible and minimizing screen-based entertainment are important to young children’s health and well-being,” Ms Hinkley said.

Ms Trina Hinkley

Deakin University
School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
(03) 924 46910; 0403 045 173
trina.hinkley@deakin.edu.au

JUST RUN Youth Fitness Offers New Program for Overweight Kids

tracy — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:07:43 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 16, 2009

Contact: Julie Armstrong

Marketing Communications Director

831-625-6226 / Julie@bsim.org

JUST RUN® YOUTH FITNESS OFFERS

NEW PROGRAM FOR OVERWEIGHT KIDS

JUST RUN, the award winning youth fitness program of the Big Sur International Marathon, is debuting a specialized program beyond the school setting that focuses on children of highest need.

The new JUST RUN GOLD program, beginning November 2nd, welcomes participants in grades 1-5 to a safe and encouraging environment. Geared toward inactive and severely overweight children, the twice-a-week program will focus on health, nutrition and fitness topics, followed by fun and non-competitive relays, drills, and walking/running activities based upon the ability of the child.

The program is free to the participants, with costs underwritten by the Big Sur International Marathon.

“We saw a dire need in the community for programs to serve these children,” said Susan Love, JUST RUN program administrator and co-creator of JUST RUN GOLD. “Our new program was designed to be a community resource and to offer a solution, a place where doctors, nurses, school officials and parents can refer and send these children.”

The goals and benefits of the program are to increase physical activity and fitness levels while promoting self-esteem, pride in accomplishment, new friendships, and weight loss. As with the successful JUST RUN school program, incentives such as mileage tokens, wristbands, and t-shirts will be awarded for mileage accumulated and for performing acts of good citizenship, “Just Deeds.”

The new JUST RUN GOLD program will be held Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Los Arboles Sports Complex, 327 Reindollar Avenue in Marina. A parent or supervising adult must accompany and remain with their child at all sessions. The sessions will be led by qualified leaders Christina Price and Kecia Denk, who have extensive backgrounds in health and physical education programs, and co-creator Mike Dove.

“We’re very excited about our new program,” says Love. “We are confident that it will become a life altering experience for these children.”

To learn more about the program, or to refer a potential child, contact Susan Love at 831-625-6226 or susanwlove@sbcglobal.net.

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The Great Lace Up: Little Rockers Kids Marathon

tracy — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:02:25 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Information Contacts:
Natalie Ghidotti
501-837-0206
natalie@ghidotticommunications.com

Geneva Hampton
501-371-4639
ghampton@littlerock.org

The Great Lace Up
Little Rockers Kids Marathon Kick-off Event to be Held Oct. 31

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - (Oct. 6, 2009) - A registration kick-off event for the
Little Rockers Kids Marathon will be held from 10:00am to noon Oct. 31 on
the lawn of the Clinton Presidential Library. The kick-off event and the
training program are sponsored by Arkansas Children's Hospital and Today's
THV.

The 6th Little Rockers Kids Marathon Final Mile will begin at noon on
Saturday, March 6, 2010, in the River Market District. Little Rockers is
held in conjunction with the Little Rock Marathon, set for Sunday, March 7,
2010. The Little Rock Marathon and companion races are a project of and
benefit Little Rock Parks & Recreation.

The Oct. 31 Little Rockers kick-off event will include free healthy snacks,
music and a series of fun Halloween-themed obstacle course activities. Goody
bags will be distributed to the first 600 participants. Kids are encouraged
to pre-register for the kick-off event at www.littlerockmarathon.com.

"This is going to be a fun time for kids and their parents to come out and
learn more about the Little Rockers and how they can start training for the
big day in March," said Geneva Hampton, executive director of the Little
Rock Marathon. "We want to motivate students to commit to a health and
fitness routine now, so they can reap the rewards later."

Craig O'Neill, an anchor with KTHV, Channel 11, will serve as emcee for the
morning, while Scout, the Arkansas Children's Hospital mascot, will help
entertain participants. Both O'Neill and Scout will get things started that
morning with a Monster Mash warm-up.

A series of activities, including broomstick hurdles, a pumpkin relay,
wheelbarrow races, three-legged monster race and Mr. Bones relay race, will
be held. After all five activities are completed, participants will get to
log their first mile of the 26.2-mile marathon training program. Kids ages
7-12 who complete the training program from November-February will have the
opportunity to complete their final mile in front of friends, family and
spectators in March.

The Little Rockers Kids Marathon Training Program, presented by the Arkansas
Department of Health, was designed as a way to encourage more children to
participate in ongoing fitness activities. Last year, more than 1,500
children registered for the Final Mile, while more than 4,700 kids
throughout the state participated in the training program.

"We are proud to sponsor such an important fitness program for the kids in
our community," said Dr. Bonnie Taylor, medical director at Arkansas
Children's Hospital. "We hope this kick-off event reminds families that
fitness can be fun in many different ways!"

For more information and to register a child for the Oct. 31 kick-off event,
visit www.littlerockmarathon.com.

About Little Rockers Kids Marathon
The Little Rockers Kids Marathon encourages children ages 7-12 to become
more active by following a fun, simple running and/or walking program. The
goal for each child is to complete at least 25.2 miles before race day.
Then, on race day, children who are properly registered and have reached
their mileage goal will complete their final mile on the official Little
Rock Marathon course in front of family, friends and thousands of
spectators.(A child can participate through an official Little Rockers
program at their school, church or civic organization. Or a child can
participate at home with an adult's help. Information on the 2010 Little
Rockers Marathon and Little Rock Marathon can be found at
www.littlerockmarathon.com.

About Little Rock Parks & Recreation
Little Rock Parks and Recreation (LRPR) oversees 53 parks, four community
centers, the Adult Leisure Center, War Memorial Fitness Center, four
swimming pools, two tennis centers, the River Market, the Riverfest
Amphitheatre, three golf courses and the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas
Military History. The LRPR system includes more than 5,000 acres of
designated parks and open space. In addition, the organization offers a
wide-range of youth and adult recreational and sports leagues, after-school
and summer playground programs for children ages 6-15, outdoor recreation,
therapeutic recreation and programs for seniors. Funds raised will continue
to support parks and recreational programs for all ages. For more
information, visit www.lrpr.org.

About Arkansas Children's Hospital
Arkansas Children's Hospital is the only pediatric medical center in
Arkansas and one of the largest in the United States serving children from
birth to age 21. The campus spans 29 city blocks and houses 316 beds, a
staff of approximately 500 physicians, 80 residents in pediatrics and
pediatric specialties and more than 4,200 employees. The private, nonprofit
healthcare facility boasts an internationally renowned reputation for
medical breakthroughs and intensive treatments, unique surgical procedures
and forward-thinking medical research - all dedicated to fulfilling our
mission of enhancing, sustaining and restoring children's health and
development. ACH has ranked twice on FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work
ForR, most recently at No. 85. For more information, visit
www.archildrens.org.

- 30 -

P.A.C.E. Trek 2010 - Germany

tracy — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:37:55 +0000

Missoula, MT, U.S.A. – September 17, 2009

Kids Worldwide To Virtually Trek With

Ultra-Endurance Athlete Through Germany

President of The P.A.C.E. Fitness Foundation to run 500 miles solo through Germany to promote youth health and fitness globally.

Paul Staso, Founder and President of The P.A.C.E. Fitness Foundation (P.A.C.E. being ‘Promoting Active Children Everywhere’), has run solo across the United States in 2006, solo across Montana in 2008, and solo through Alaska in 2009. Now, the 44-year-old husband, father of four and ultra-endurance athlete will push a jogging stroller of gear and virtually trek with thousands of children worldwide over a 500-mile course through Germany between March 8 and March 30, 2010.

"The Germany challenge, called P.A.C.E. Trek 2010, is my way of trying to make an impact in the decline of youth health and fitness," Staso says. "The trek through Germany will require me to average nearly a marathon per day for 21 days. I'll be virtually traveling with teams of school children from across the U.S.A. as well as many other countries as they access my “online classroom”, www.pacetrek.com/germany, and learn about the locations we're trekking through via my writings, pictures and media files." Free school team registration is now open. For the most recent P.A.C.E. Trek (Alaska in May 2009), Staso had 22,515 school children from 10 countries participate – logging a cumulative distance of 118,002 miles during the three-week endeavor.

Through P.A.C.E., Staso has accomplished a 3,260-mile solo coast-to-coast run across the United States in 108 days; a 620-mile solo run across Montana in 20 days; and, a 500 mile solo run through Alaska in 18 days ─ virtually trekking with teams of school children using his unique approach to promoting youth health and fitness. To date, Staso has logged the equivalent of 168 marathons in 146 days of P.A.C.E. Treks ─ a total of 4,380 miles ─ averaging 30 miles per day.

"Since completing my solo run across America in October 2006, I've had opportunities to speak to many audiences about the purpose of P.A.C.E. and what I believe needs to be done to turn the tide on the continuing decline of youth health and fitness," Staso says. "Kids need to see that if you take care of your body it can take you on some wonderful adventures ─ far more satisfying than staring at a television or computer for hours on end. By the reactions I receive from children, I know that my message and endurance journeys intrigue and inspire many."

Staso, a former 5th grade teacher, has developed an extensive web site at www.pacetrek.com so teachers and students from kindergarten through 12th grade can be involved in his annual treks. There is no cost for a school to register a P.A.C.E. Trek team and teachers can sign up teams at www.pacetrek.com until March 6, 2010. Public, private, charter, and military schools can sign up teams for free, as well as home school groups. "We've set it up so that teachers will have everything needed at the pacetrek.com web site and the Germany trek will not take any more than a few minutes per day for 17 school days in March 2010 – generally a commitment of less than 3 hours total," Staso says.

The selection of Germany for the next P.A.C.E. Trek was decided after Staso was contacted by educators in Germany who teach at Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) and asked to consider a journey run there. Staso has had many DoDDS schools from numerous countries take part in his previous P.A.C.E. Trek endeavors. This will be the first P.A.C.E. challenge he’ll attempt outside of the United States.

“DoDDS schools have shown a lot of enthusiasm for P.A.C.E. over the past two years and I’m honored to have an opportunity to run through Germany and give assemblies at as many DoDDS schools as possible,” Staso said. “Several DoDDS schools in Germany will be contributing financially via their Parent-Teacher Associations in order for P.A.C.E. Trek 2010 to take place there.”

DoDDS schools are a network of schools, both primary and secondary, that serve dependents of United States military - and other non-U.S. personnel outside the United States. The schools themselves are operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity. DoDDS began operating schools in 1946.

Once again Staso will push a jogging stroller to carry essential equipment, including: food, water, GPS, computer/video/camera equipment, running gear, and more ─ even a solar panel for charging electronic gadgets. Nightly lodging will primarily be at the homes of teachers and in hotels along the route. He will begin in the town of Grafenwöhr and run a course of 500 miles (805 kilometers) to the finish line in Landstuhl.

The P.A.C.E. Fitness Foundation is sponsoring a $500 healthy school award which will be awarded to a participating school's P.E. program via drawing after the journey is finished. Only those teams that report to Staso as having completed the 500-mile trek by 6:00 p.m., PST, on March 30, 2010 will be eligible. Last year’s winner of the “P.A.C.E. Healthy School Award” was Hohenfels Elementary, a DoDDS school located in Hohenfels, Germany.

A 27-year resident of Missoula, Montana, Staso is committed to doing what he can to inspire, educate and motivate children toward greater health and fitness. Staso also wants kids to set personal goals and reach for their dreams. As he says, "Your dreams are beyond the horizon, and you have to persevere to the horizon in order to realize those dreams." That is why Staso created the non-profit organization, The P.A.C.E. Fitness Foundation, in June 2009. He’s hoping to inspire children one milepost at a time.

When not on the road training for – or doing – a P.A.C.E. Trek, Staso oversees his public benefit foundation and develops virtual trek curriculums which many schools have either adopted or imitated, including a Run/Walk Across America trek (www.seeusrun.com); a fitness journey along historic U.S. Route 66 (www.kids66.com); and, a virtual national parks run through the Northwest U.S.A. (www.parksrun.com).

You can learn more about P.A.C.E. Trek 2010, and register school teams, at www.pacetrek.com. You can also experience Staso's solo run across America online at www.pacetrek.com/usa, his solo run across Montana at www.pacetrek.com/montana, and his most recent solo trek through Alaska at www.pacetrek.com/alaska.

# # #

About The P.A.C.E. Fitness Foundation, Inc.

Founded in 2009, the mission of The P.A.C.E. Fitness Foundation, Inc. is to encourage, educate, inspire, and motivate children worldwide to adopt life-long habits toward a healthy lifestyle; to expand their knowledge of the world around them; and to pursue their goals and dreams with the abilities they possess. The Foundation’s nine-member Board of Directors is committed to organizing child-focused health and fitness opportunities for children worldwide.

The P.A.C.E. Fitness Foundation – P.O. Box 3404, Missoula, MT 59806 / pacefitnessfoundation.org.

ING Awards Grants to Combat Childhood Obesity

tracy — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:42:21 +0000

ING Awards Grants to Combat Childhood Obesity
ING announced that it has awarded 50 schools across the U.S. with $2,000 grants to help students combat childhood obesity. Through its ING Run For Something Better School Awards Program, financial services leader ING, in partnership with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), is helping to introduce fifth- through eighth-grade students across the country to the benefits of running through school-based running programs. Fifty schools will receive $2,000 in funding to support its new ING Run For Something Better program, offering students a minimum of an eight-week running program that will conclude with a culminating running event in celebration of the students' achievements. NASPE has developed unique running lesson plans, based on the National Standards for Physical Education (NASPE, 2004), and specifically targeted for fifth- through eighth-grade students. These activity plans, coupled with other program materials such as distance logs and a running journal, will aid in the development of running skills and preparation for a culminating running event.

Kids Run the Nation Grant

tracy — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:23:17 +0000

Kids Run the Nation Grant Deadline October 1, 2009

In 2007, the RRCA developed the Kids Run the Nation Fund to assists running clubs, events and schools that are interested in implementing or currently have a youth running program. This small grant program will be funded by restricted contributions from RRCA members, individuals, foundations and corporations. Grants will be awarded on an annual basis through an application and selection process overseen by a volunteer selection committee. The deadline to apply for a Kids Run the Nation grant is Thursday, October 1, 2009.

Criteria for a Grant from the RRCA: Kids Run the Nation Fund

A total of $5000 will be awarded in a combination of grants ranging from $500-$1000. Running clubs, events or other organizations with the IRS 501(c)3 designation are eligible to apply. Elementary and middle schools that provide an organized after-school running programs are eligible as well.

Important criteria for receiving a grant include:

* The running program should be more than just a one time event. It should be a structured running program that ideally utilizes the RRCA youth running materials. The goal of the program is to have kids running regularly, at least once a week for multiple weeks, as opposed to participating in a single event. However, the program may culminate in participation at a kids race.
* The program may be a start-up program or a pre-existing program.
* The program should not be gender specific but open for both girls and boys. The program may not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnic origin, or economic status. The program may outline age groups and may place a minimum and maximum age for participation.
* The program may focus on participation or may emphasize competition or a combination of both.
* The running program has adopted policies and procedures that ensure the safety of the participants and outlines expectations of the program leaders including submitting to criminal background checks.

For an application or more information, go to: www.rrca.org/programs/kids/

President Establishes Office Of Olympic, Paralympic And Youth Sport

tracy — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:16:43 +0000

President Establishes New White House Office Of Olympic, Paralympic And
Youth Sport

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has announced the formation of the new
White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport. The new,
permanent White House office will promote the values of the Olympic Movement
and encourage increased youth participation in athletics. The primary
function of the office will be to enhance awareness of the Olympic Movement
through promotion at the federal level of its fundamental principles.

The White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport will recommend
federal policies and programs to the president to enhance opportunities and
access for youth participation in sport, especially in urban areas; foster
and encourage youth sporting, educational and cultural events involving
Olympic values-based programs and the participation of U.S. Olympians and
Paralympians.

In addition, the White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport
will work in coordination with executive departments and agencies, including
the Department of Education and Health and Human Services, to engage in
outreach to state and local government officials, nonprofit organizations
and the private sector; coordinate federal resources for and act as a
liaison to any organizing committee for an Olympic and Paralympic Games
hosted in the United States; and work closely with the U.S. Olympic
Committee and national sport governing bodies to increase access and
opportunities for youth to participate in sports.

JUST RUN Provides Fitness Solution to Cash Strapped Schools

tracy — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:43:46 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 10, 2009

Media Contact:

Julie Armstrong, Marketing Communications Director

831-625-6226 / Julie@bsim.org

JUST RUN® PROVIDES FITNESS SOLUTION TO CASH STRAPPED SCHOOLS

Program interest highest ever at school year’s start

Monterey, CA -- In an era of budget cutbacks to schools, many programs – including P.E. and sports – are seeing the axe fall. The JUST RUN youth fitness program, now in its fifth year, is providing a popular alternative to cash strapped schools, and early interest is at an all-time high.

JUST RUN is a nationally recognized free, web-based program developed by the Big Sur International Marathon. It provides individual teachers, school volunteers, and youth leaders with the tools necessary to set a successful running and fitness program in motion, and is easy to implement before, during or after the school day. Enrollment for the 2009-10 school year is now underway.

“For schools that have lost P.E. funding, we emphasize that JUST RUN is free,” says Susan Love, program administrator for JUST RUN. “It’s an answer to the question, ‘How do I provide quality and effective physical activity for my students.’”

In addition to promoting exercise and fitness, the multi-faceted program is educational. Classes collectively accumulate mileage in “virtual runs” across the USA and Europe that are tracked on the website. Hundreds of locations through which the children run are web-linked, highlighting geography, history, and points of interest. The JUST DEEDS feature of the program encourages the kids to perform acts of good citizenship, and the nutritional component, JUST TASTE, promotes healthy eating. Recently, the JUST RUN website, www.justrun.org, was updated to include three new training videos, enhanced nutritional and fitness information, and a simplified registration process.

“We’ve had phenomenal interest already this summer.” Love attributes the rising obesity problem combined with school cutbacks and a stronger outreach to educators as the reason. “Most importantly, however, we offer a quality, effective, and fun program! Emphasizing on our homepage that JUST RUN is available to schools and youth organizations in any country, state or locale has prompted new inquiries from schools in eight states.”

Supported by the Big Sur International Marathon, the program offers free incentives such as mileage tokens, wrist bands and t-shirts to Monterey County-based schools. Local students also have the opportunity to compete in the JUST RUN! Just Kids3K races offered on the weekends coinciding with the Big Sur International Marathon in April and the Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay in November. During the past school year, more than 6,300 children participated in JUST RUN.

JUST RUN has received many accolades in its brief existence. In its first year, JUST RUN received a Gold Medal from the California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports for “positively impacting the health and well being of California children and youth.” It has also been designated as a “Model Program” by Running USA, the premier trade organization in the running industry, for offering "the best practices for an affordable, effective youth fitness program that can be duplicated in other parts of the country."

For more information on the JUST RUN program and how to get started, contact Susan Love at 831-625-6226 or susanwlove@sbcglobal.net.

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PHOTO ATTACHED

Caption: JUST RUN Program Administrator Susan Love leads children in warm up drills.

Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation issues $10K in grants to children's groups

tracy — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:53:01 +0000

August 5, 2009

Atlanta Business Chronicle - by J. Scott Trubey Staff Writer

The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation said Wednesday it would distribute a total of $10,000 in grant funds to three metro Atlanta non-profits dedicated to improve the health and fitness of youngsters.

The funds, a grant from the Teammates for Kids Foundation, which was co-founded by country singer Garth Brooks, will assist disabled and low-income youths from across the metro area.

The Falcons Youth Foundation said it would distribute $4,000 to the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs to help disabled pupils participate in sports programs at up to 25 Atlanta Public Schools.

Moving the Spirit will receive $3,000 for scholarships to help up to 75 students attend Stepping Stones dance programs Warren Holyfield Boys and Girls Club, the Youth Education Town, Atlanta Children’s Shelter and the Ron Clark Academy.

The Atlanta Track Club will receive $3,000 to help 400 impoverished students take part the club’s Kilometer Kids running program.

“We are grateful for this grant from Teammates for Kids, which recognizes and supports the critical need for kids in our community to increase their level of physical activity,” Falcons Vice President of Sports Philanthropy and Affiliated Programs John Bare said in a statement. “This grant also underscores the powerful positive impact of collaborating to achieve common goals.”

Colorado-based Teammates for Kids receives donations from professional athletes, sports fans and sponsors, and each year donates a portion of those funds to athlete’s community. This year’s grants follow donations to Atlanta-based organizations made by Teammates for Kids in 2007 and 2008.

Since 2002, when The Home Depot Inc. co-founder Arthur Blank acquired the Falcons, the team’s youth foundation has become the largest owner-funded charitable foundation in the NFL. The organization has donated $16 million to charities that are focused on youth fitness.