(Posted Aug. 13, 2018)
Healthy Kids Running Series (HKRS) is a national, community-based nonprofit that provides a five-week running program for children ages 2 years old through eighth grade. HKRS is seeking participants in West Jefferson.
The first of five consecutive Sunday afternoon races is set for 5 p.m. Sept. 16 at Norwood Elementary School, 899 Norwood Dr., West Jefferson. While the program takes place in West Jefferson, residents outside of West Jefferson are encouraged to join in the fun.
Each HKRS event offers age-appropriate race distances. Children compete each week for a chance to earn points. At the end of the series, the boys and girls with the most points in their respective age divisions earn trophies. All participants receive a finisher’s medal, race bag and HKRS tech shirt for their achievements.
“Healthy Kids Running Series is designed to combat the increasing rates of child obesity in America,” said Jeff Long, HKRS founder. “My goal is to motivate and inform kids to be healthy and active. We are providing a fun environment to improve their self-esteem and inspire them to adopt a ‘get up and go’ attitude.”
More than 50,000 children participate in more than 200 Healthy Kids Running Series nationwide.
The divisions and race distances are as follows:
– Pre-kindergarten (2-3 years olds)–50-yard dash;
– Pre-kindergarten (4-5 years old)–75-yard dash;
– Kindergarten and first grade–quarter-mile;
– Second and third grade–half-mile;
– Fourth and fifth grade–one mile; and
– Middle school–one mile.
Visit HealthyKidsRunningSeries.org to register a child, volunteer or become a sponsor.
For information about starting a Healthy Kids Running Series program in your community, visit the “Start a Race” page on the website.
