Projo Running Blog

In Part II of Running USA Youth Fitness Report 2007, Running USA Youth Program Coordinator Linda Honikman looks at the growth of "Kids Runs" and their benefits:

Kids Runs Provide Focal Point for Training Participants and Photographers
Youth running events grew by 5% from 2005 to 2006
By Linda Honikman, Running USA Youth Program Coordinator

The proliferation of youth training programs in the last 3 or 4 years has helped build interest in youth running events around the country and in turn the events provide a very important component of successful training - a goal. Event organizers are also recognizing the value of increased media and sponsor interest that well-planned youth events can bring.

Ten years ago, kids races were often an afterthought - a way to get children of runners involved on race day. And what seemed like a good idea for the enthusiastic novice joggers often ended in tears or disappointment because of the lack of preparation or understanding of concepts like pacing. Now the events with training not only have more successful youth finishers but new potential adult participants are being brought to events by their kids rather than the other way around.

The top 30 youth runs which can be found in the Statistics area of RunningUSA.org included a number of events that increased by more than 20% from 2005 to 2006: Nike Cinco de Mile (Los Angeles), Marathon Kids 800m: Dallas, Kids Challenge 5K (Pasadena), Union-Tribune Kids Magic Mile (San Diego), Spirit of St. Louis Read, Right and Run Mile, Texas Children's Hospital Kids Fun Run 3K (Houston), Junior Carlsbad Mile and Kids Runs (CA), adidas Junior River Run Mile (Jacksonville, FL), Great Pumpkin Run Cross Country Mile (Lincoln, NE), Keebler Kids Marathon Mile (Carlsbad, CA) and Marine Corps Marathon Healthy Kids Mile (DC).

And not included in the overall 5% increase for the same events for both years (2005 and 2006) were several new events: Marathon Kids 800m: Houston, Scheels Fargo Kids Mile (ND) and the ING Run for Something Better Mile: Miami.

ING and Nike Provide Corporate Support for Youth Running
The ING financial services company has a youth running component called 'Run for Something Better' in the following cities: San Francisco (with ING Bay to Breakers 12K), Miami (with ING Miami Marathon), New York (part of the ING NYC Marathon week), Atlanta (with the inaugural ING Georgia Marathon in spring of 2007) and Denver (in conjunction with the Denver Marathon this October).

In Miami, the school based running program is available free to middle schools in Miami-Dade County. More than 3,000 students participated in 2006.

"Linked to ING's marathon sponsorship, we created ING Run for Something Better to help make it easier to introduce kids to the benefits of sport, a habit of physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle that prevents conditions such as childhood obesity," said Toby Hoden, chief marketing officer, ING U.S. Financial Services.

ING has committed $2 million so far to this effort and they are also encouraging donations from individuals in exchange for orange shoe laces. See www.ingrfsb.com for details.

Nike has also made a substantial commitment to promoting youth running and fitness through the Nike 5K for Kids Series. The 2007-08 schedule includes events in Honolulu (8th annual event on Sept. 23), Las Vegas (Nov. 10) and Miami (Nov. 17) as well as Atlanta, Denver, Seattle, Boston and Portland (dates TBD later in the year). Each event features several family training runs before the event, teacher appreciation night, teacher training manuals, kids training logs and 100% of entry fees going back to the PE program at the school of the entrant's choice.

The oldest of the series, Niketown 5K for Kids in Honolulu raised $120,000 in donations that was distributed to 249 schools in 2006. Entrants can choose the Niketown 5K or NikeGo 1 Mile Run/Walk.

According to the website, Nike5KforKids.com, the mission is to: "Get kids moving and give them the means to do it. We know that active kids are happier, healthier and more likely to make positive life choices."

Kids Running Sessions at 2008 Running USA Conference, La Jolla
Four sessions related to youth running will be offered at the Running USA Conference next February. The Sunday (Feb. 10) afternoon sessions will feature coaches, teachers and program coordinators who will share tips for working effectively and appropriately with youth of all ages and abilities. On Monday morning (Feb. 11), Dr. William Roberts, medical director of Twin Cities Marathon and noted youth running expert, and Dr. Jennifer Sluder, pediatrician, youth run director and anti-obesity advocate, will cover medical aspects of youth running. Finally, on Monday afternoon Running USA's team of model program coordinators will review successful program components, funding sources and best practices.

Conference registration information can be found on RunningUSA.org. For other information, contact Linda Honikman at: rric@runningusa.org

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