KidsRunning.Com - Youth Programs

YOUTH RUNNING CLUBS, PROGRAMS, AND RESOURCES
Introducing kids to the fun of running at a young age is an exciting way to help them develop healthy habits that they will stick with for life. Please use the following model resources to find a program that's just right for your community. Although the programs are placed into only one category, they may share components of programs in the other categories.

We get emails. We get phone calls and sometimes we get letters. There are many ways that you can tell us about your club.

CROSS-COUNTRY
Active Pulse Runners
Petaluma, CA
(707) 486-0707
Contact: Ian Inman
Email: iinman@activepulse.org
Web site: http://www.activepulse.org/
Active Pulse Runners is a youth running club based in Petaluma, CA. We welcome boys and girls of all ability levels; ages 8 - 15. The Cross Country season begins in early September and Track & Field begins in late February. Practices take place 3 days per week in the Fall and 4 days per week in the Spring. We also participate in a variety of meets and competitions against other local youth clubs.

We belong to the Pacific Association of USATF (USA Track & Field) - the national governing body for all running-related sports in the United States. Other Sonoma County clubs within our association include: The Empire Runners - based in Santa Rosa; The Tamalpa Runners Ð based in Marin County; and Santa Rosa Express - Youth Track Club in Santa Rosa.

Northside's Cross-country Kids
Ann Arbor, MI
(734) 994-1958
Contact: Rick Dekeon
Email: dekeon@aaps.k12.mi.us
Web site: aaps.k12.mi.us/northside.dekeon/cross_country_kids
Cross Country Kids is a beginning running program, for the students of Northside Elementary School. It is meant to be an informal introduction to running both individually and with a group. Our workouts are done on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7:45 a.m. Each practice includes a different course and a new goal for the students to try to complete. Each course and each goal is meant to be a motivator to help the students maintain interest.

United Cross Country
Agoura Hills, CA
(805) 497-2350
Contact: Andrew Harris
Email: crosscountry@unitedtrack.org
Web site: unitedtrack.org
Our team is open to all interested boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 15. Our mission is to promote the sport of cross-country running to the youth in our community by providing a fun, positive opportunity for all to develop fitness, self-discipline and a dedicated attitude to their endeavors. We believe the benefits of cross-country running have a strong impact on the self esteem of our youth which in turn affects other areas of their lives. Our United coaches teach team spirit, good sportsmanship, and a strong sense of personal pride and satisfaction. Registration for United Cross Country will be in mid July Please check our Web site for specific registration dates.

Wildcats
Rockford, IL
Contact: Mike Mapes
Email: minakebe@comcast.net
Web site: wildcats.rockriver.net/
The Wildcats is a youth cross-country team that started running in 1997. The program is designed to let kids have fun while learning about running. The ages of our runners range from 5 - 18. The program is open to all who might be interested. We are affiliated with Illinois USA Track and Field. We compete in a series of cross-country meets during the fall beginning in early October. The Wildcats host a meet which is open to all youth runners. We will provide all youth with the opportunity to reach personal goals, be a leader, practice good sportsmanship and learn respect for self and others.

EXERCISE
Project ACES/PACES Day
Worldwide
Contact: Len Saunders
Email: len@lensaunders.com
Web site: lensaunders.com
Learn how you can participate in Project ACES and PACES Day. ACES is a once a year event that has millions of children exercise simultaneously in May. PACES gets parents and children to exercise on the weekends. Learn more by visiting the Len Saunders Web Site.

FITNESS, JOURNALING, AND HEALTHY EATING
Happy Feet, Healthy Food Kids' Club
Tolland, CT
508-347-7825 (h)
860-870-6750 (w)
Contact: Carol Goodrow
Email: goodrow@verizon.net
Web site: kidsrunning.com/krpublish.html and more information here
This after-school kids club promotes healthy eating, running, walking, and journal writing. All lesson plans are on the Web site above to be shared with other clubs. The club has a family fun run, uses the Happy Feet, Healthy Food journal/text and promotes Happy Feet (healthy) school lunches at the Birch Grove Primary school and in other schools across the nation.
Featured on KR Web site (2006)

Chicago Run
Chicago, IL
773-946-9029 (
Contact: Nate Rosenthal or Alicia Gonzalez
Email: nate@chicagorun.org or info@chicagorun.org
Web site: chicagorun.org
Chicago Run is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the health and wellness of Chicago children through innovative, engaging, and sustainable youth running programs. Founded in December 2007 to aid in the effort against childhood obesity, Chicago Run organizes programs in underserved communities around the city, improving the health and uplifting the spirits of schoolchildren. "Chicago Runners" run 15 minutes per day, three to five days per week, and are rewarded for achieving their mileage goals.
Chicago Run also sponsors events to inspire fitness and fun in youth throughout the year. Find out how you can get involved!

Just Run Program
Big Sur International Marathon
Monterey County, California
831-625-6226
Contacts: Susan Love and Sally Smith
Email: susanwlove@sbcglobal.net
Email: sally@bsim.org
Web site: justrun.org
Serves 4,000 students and 40 schools in Monterey County, CA
The participants of this relatively new free program are in grades 2 thru 8 and are 67% Hispanic, 61% socio-economically disadvantaged and 19% are from migrant families. They accumulated about 90,000 miles of running and other activities with the help of teachers and parent volunteers in both school and after school settings. The program utilizes athletes of the Big Sur Distance Project for role models and offers many related programs which are described on the Web site.
2008 | Featured on the KR Web site (2007) | And More

The Log It Activity Recording Web Site (www.peclogit.org)
Contact: Mark Manross
Email: pec@pecentral.org
Web site: www.peclogit.org
The Log It Activity Recording Web Site (www.peclogit.org) encourages students (4th grade and up) to record their physical activity steps/miles online. The program features a virtual hike around the USA with stops at each state capital, students can set daily goals, compare their progress with others and they can compete in a Challenge Hike against others. Teachers can view their students UNs (Usernames) and PWs (Passwords), add steps/miles for students, communicate with students and they can view their class and student progress. If you are interested in other sites like this PE Central has built many and can all be viewed here. pecentral.org/kids_programs/home.shtml
More PE Central Programs featured on the KR Web site: PE Central Kids' Programs December, 2007

Many Milers (RunVermont)
Burlington, VT
802-863-8412
Email: info@runvermont.org
Web site: runvermont.org/youth/index.html
A youth running program for kids aged 4 to 14. Kids log their nutrition and activity miles.
Featured on KR Web site

New York Road Runners Foundation/ING
New York City Marathon, NY
Email: foundation@nyrr.org
Web site: nyrrfoundation.org/
New York Road Runners Foundation (NYRRF) was originated in 1998 by New York Road Runners (NYRR). The foremost running organization in the world, NYRR's premier event is the ING New York City Marathon. The Foundation carries out NYRR's youth services mission by establishing running-based programs that promote children's physical fitness, character development and personal achievement in under-served communities. Our programs currently serve more than 50,000 children a week in almost 250 schools and community centers. Having proven successful in New York City, programs are now being established across the United States and Africa. For our free Mighty Milers program visit: mightymilers.org/apply

Step Up Club
Evansville, IN
812-858-3830
Contacts: Carol or Tom Anderson
Email: gerwc.stepupclub@gmail
Web site: gerwc.com Click on STEP UP CLUB
The STEP UP CLUB is a fun running and walking program for kids (grades K-8). The program was developed by the Greater Evansville Runners/Walkers Club in 2001. The STEP UP CLUB is sponsored by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana and friends of the Step Up Club.

The STEP UP CLUBS are a number of local running/walking clubs based in schools, churches, and other organizations located in Evansville, IN and the surrounding counties. The directors of the club enable the leader and members of each club to succeed by providing support in the form of a leader's guidebook, logbooks and incentive prizes. Clubs in the local tri-state area with 30 or less children and one leader are provided all supplies without cost. Our goal is to improve the fitness level of our kids by emphasizing running/walking as a fun activity that can be enjoyed now and throughout life. In addition to fitness, running and walking have been shown to improve self-esteem, academic performance, and energy levels.

FITNESS THROUGH RUNNING EVENTS
Flying Hornets Running Program
Hermitage, PA
724-981-8750 ext.5400
Contact: Jim Boyd
Email: james_boyd@hermitage.k12.pa.us or musclegym@roadrunner.com
Web site: http://www.theflyinghornets.com/ The Flying Hornets has evolved into a family/community club. Brothers and sisters have joined after their brothers and sisters were a part of the club in the past. Other family members have become involved with our Flying Hornets, whether joining us for a run or attending one of our seminars. What started out as a running club to train for a race has grown into an organization of students, parents, family and community members excited about the health and fitness of our community. It has also become an opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to earn community service hours for their school projects. We have organized nutritional seminars for our community, performed community service, like park clean-ups and promoting other local fitness and running events.
Featured on the KR Web site

Kids on the Run (Montgomery County Road Runners)
Rockville, MD
Email: membership@mcrrc.org
Web site: mcrrc.org/kidsontherun/kidmar.php
Web site: mcrrc.org/kidsontherun/index.php
Affiliated with the MCRRC (Montgomery County Road Runners Club), one of the largest running clubs in the USA, Kids on the Run promotes fun and fitness through various running events. The Young Run Series is for children 12 years and under, entailing various running distances in a medley of races with fun names like The Piece of Cake Run. Children are given special t-shirts if they complete at least seven of the various races. Kids on the Run also has a Junior Participation Series for 9-18 year olds. In this series, youth run longer distances in regular MCRRC club races, giving them the opportunity to run with club members.

Middle School Challenge (Celestial Seasonings Bolder Boulder)
Boulder, CO
303-444-RACE
Email: race@bolderboulder.com
Web site: bolderboulder.com/msc.htm
The Bolder Boulder Middle School Challenge involves over 2000 students from more than 45 Bolder-area schools. Participating students train with an on-site coordinator (typically a teacher) for 6-8 weeks to prepare for a 6.2 mile walk, jog, run, or race. Program Director Scott Fliegelman provides support to participating schools by offering resource information about proper training and nutrition. In addition, each school can take advantage of the opportunity to have an all-school assembly led by guest speakers from the Bolder Boulder to help motivate the students about running and training for the Challenge.

Rouge Runners
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
(225) 924-3606 (A.C. Lewis YMCA)
Contact: Trippe Hawthorne
Email: info@rougerunners.org
Web site: rougerunners.org
Rouge Runners is a program of the A.C. Lewis YMCA in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Rouge Runners introduces kids to the fun of running and fitness by providing a continuing series of events (6 races, from September through May) for which kids can train and prepare, and begin learning the lessons that we pick up each time we compete. We have 5 age groups (6 and under, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, and 13-14) and three different race distances at each race (1/2 mile, 1 mile, and 2 mile). Every finisher will get a finisher's medal and we have age group awards 1-3 for each age group, male and female. At the end of the season, kids that have participated in and finished all of the races will receive a special "participation award". We also offer a cash participation award to the PE department of the public school with best participation.

FUN RUNS WITH A TRAINING COMPONENT
Get-In-Gear-Fit-For-Fun
Minnehaha Park - Minneapolis, Minnesota
651-702-8220
Contact: Paul Vogel, Paulette Odenthal
Emaiil:pvogel@isd622.org (Paul Vogel)
Email: getingear@qwest.net (Paulette Odenthal, Get in Gear)
Web site: getingear10k.com/
Fit-For-Fun is Minnesota's first and largest school-based youth training program. The program's vision is based on providing elementary aged children with not only the opportunity to develop aerobic endurance, but to educate them as to why it is important to keep themselves fit, strong, and healthy. This cognitive component is what makes Fit-for-Fun different from most of its contemporaries. While many races today have children's events, not many have cognitive, fitness development and race components.
Featured on KR Web site

Texas Children's Hospital Fun Run
Chevron Houston Marathon, TX
Web site: texaschildrenshospital.org/AllAbout/FunRun_2006.aspx
Middle school students from 85 Houston schools participated in the training 2,100 students completed the 2006 Texas Children's Hospital Fun Run The focus of this program is 'building a community of healthy children'. In 2002 PE teachers and a doctor at Texas Children's Hospital developed a training guidebook. This valuable resource which includes lessons on 'Safety, Hydration and Nutrition', 'The Metabolic System' and 'Training the Cardiovascular System' is being used in 14 school districts and has been adopted by the Houston Independent School District as part of the official curriculum for middle schools. The guide is currently being adapted for younger age groups.

GIRLS ONLY
Empowering Girls Through Exercise
Hadassah Seattle GoGirlGo!
Seattle area, WA
Contact: Sheri Gazitt, M.A.
Email: Sheri@getagirlgoing.org
Web site: getagirlgoing.org
GoGirlGo is a curriculum started by the Women's Sports Foundation that targets young girls from ages 8-18. It empowers girls through exercise and leadership skills. The free curriculum is provided to anyone who wants to start a group. We are currently in the process of starting groups within schools and youth-serving organizations in the Puget Sound area. If you'd like to see a GoGirlGo! groups started in your school, contact Sheri at Sheri@getagirlgoing.org. We will also be hosting a FREE GoGirlGo! Leadership Invitational on February 28th, 2008.

Fit Girls
Medfield, MA
Contact: Sarah Nixon
Email: info@fitgirls.org
Web site: fitgirls.org
Fit Girls is a girls' fitness program that encourages regular exercise for the body (running/walking), the mind (reading) and the heart (showing kindness for others/ community outreach).
Setting goals, working together as a team, and staying fit, building confidence and self-esteem for runners/walkers of ALL ages! Fit Girls was developed to give pre-adolescent girls the opportunity to have a positive experience. Fit Girls is a six-week running and walking/reading/fundraising program. They meet 2 days a week for one hour. The club's approach is non-competitive in that each girl is encouraged to find a pace that is right for them. EVERYONE who participates is a winner!
Featured on KR Web site (2006)

Girls on the Run
Charlotte, NC
704-376-9817 / 800-901-9965
Email: info@girlsontherun.org
Web site: girlsontherun.org
Girls on the Run is a non-profit prevention program that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. Its curricula address all aspects of girls' development - physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual. Girls on the Run International (GOTRI) is the parent organization of more than 100 Girls on the Run councils across the United States and Canada. GOTRI establishes, trains and supports a network of community-level councils with local volunteers. The volunteers serve as role models to the girls through coaching the 12-week, 24-lesson curriculum. The curriculum is delivered in these areas through after-school programs, recreation centers and other non-profit settings.
Featured on the KR Web site (2000) | (2008)

GRANTS
ING Run For Something Better
School-Based Running Programs
Contact: Juliet Prillaman
Email; JPrillaman@AAHPERD.org
Informational PDF
The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) has teamed with ING Run for Something Better to provide fifty $2,000 grants to schools nationwide that wish to start a school-based running program or expand an existing one. The program targets middle school-aged students, grades 5th-8th. Please see the informational PDF for more information. The deadline for applications is June 1, 2009. The program website is naspeinfo.org/run

HOME SCHOOLED YOUTH
Connecticut Home Schooled Harriers
CT
Contact: Patti Dillon
Email; patti@pattidillon.com
The Connecticut Home Schooled Harriers are a unique running club. Created as the first running club in America exclusively for home schooled youth, the objective of the organization is to develop the abilities of youth athletes and prepare them for competition through the individual disciplines of cross-country, indoor track, outdoor track, and distance running. Each Harrier can both gain and improve a variety of personal qualities through training. These include confidence, self-discipline, self-respect, integrity, humility, and better concentration or focus. As a member of a team working together for a common goal, Harriers would also improve in the areas of sportsmanship, teamwork, and respect for others.
Featured on the KR Web site 2003

IRONKIDS
Lake Placid Iron Kids
Lake Placid, NY
518-891-6538 (w)
Contact: Richard Costanza
Email; rtcostanza@adelphia.net
(found at USATF.org)
Lake Placid hosts a fall IronKids Cross-Country running program that is entirely supported by the Ironman Community Fund. In the winter, it switches to cross-country skiing and biathlon.

MARATHON DISTANCE
Fit for Life Kids Challenge
Sports Backers
Richmond, VA
Email: faith@sportsbackers.org
Web site: sportsbackers.org/kids_challenge.htm
3,000 elementary and middle school students are expected to complete the full program, 16,000 training logs have been distributed.
This free incentive-based fitness program culminates with the James River Kids Run on Saturday, June 17. Youth are encouraged to run or walk 26 miles over the course of a 10-week period. The program is flexible and allows for teachers, volunteers and parents to take the initiative to get children involved. Miles can be completed at home, during school recess, at soccer practice or PE class.

GO! St. Louis Read, Right Run Marathon®
Spirit of St. Louis Marathon, MO
St. Louis, MO
(314) 727-0800
Email: Cirwin@gostlouis.org
Web site: http://www.gostlouis.org/
For 2007, 2,900 children from 81 schools read 75,400 books, performed 75,400 good deeds and ran 75,980 miles this year. This nationally recognized sustainable program, challenges children to READ 26 books, RIGHT the community with 26 good deeds and RUN 26.2 miles over a 6 month time period. Middle schoolers are challenged to run 50 miles, an Ultramarathon, to prepare them for a 5k!
Featured on the KR Web site (2004) | 2008

Intermountain Kids Marathon
Salt Lake City Marathon, UT
Contact: Jen Murano
Email: jmurano@devineracing.com
Web site: intermountainhealthcare.org/xp/public/aboutihc/news/article8.xml 750 kids are participating in the training program currently This three month program which began in 2005 is for children 5 to 12 and has more than doubled its number of participants this year. Kids and parents can register online to complete 26 units of activities related to fitness, nutrition and good deeds.

Kaiser Permanente Youth Fitness Program (California International Marathon)
Folsom, CA
916-983-4622
Email: runcim@ncbb.net and runcim@jhu.edu
Web site: http://www.runcim.org/data/Youth.html
School teachers can enroll their students in this 8-week program leading up to the CIM. The suggested guidelines and training schedule provided gradually increase the distances run by students. Students are rewarded with certificates for cumulative distances achieved. Upon completion of the program -- a cumulative distance of 26.2 miles -- and the 2.62 mile marFUNrun which is held in conjunction with the CIM, students receive a CIM medallion. Students keep track of their performance in the Youth Fitness Program through the use of distance logs as provided by CIM.

Kids Marathon (Seattle Marathon Association)
Seattle, WA
206-729-3660 / 206-729-3661
Email: info@seattlemarathon.org
Web site: seattlemarathon.org/kids.asp
The Kid's Marathon headed by the Seattle Marathon Association is designed to encourage physical as well as social well-being among youth. Children complete the first 25 miles of their marathon in stages by themselves between September and November and receive awards as they do so. The children then complete the last 1.2 miles together in the fourth week of November by running around the Seattle Center.

Kids Sports Stars
Scottsdale, Arizona
Email: info@kidssportsstars.org
Web site: kidssportsstars.org
For 1,200 needy fourth- to sixth-graders, the challenge is to run/walk the total of a marathon distance in four months. Kids who keep moving and accumulating miles in this three-year-old Phoenix-based program get a shot at attending summer camp for free.

Marathon Kids™
Austin, TX
Contact: Kay Morris
Web site: marathonkids.com
More than 100,000 kindergarten through fifth-grade kids "run" a marathon in this 10-year-old program that promotes fitness and nutrition. For six months they run in quarter- to half-mile increments. Their final mile takes place at running events in Austin, Dallas, Houston, or Harlingen, Texas, and is a community celebration, complete with finisher's medals.

The Marathon Project: Empowering Youth Through Running
Poughkeepsie, NY
Email: soneil@capedc.org Web site: mhrrc.org/club_news/marathon_proj/marathon_proj_home.htm
The Marathon Project, sponsored by the Council on Addiction Prevention and Education of Dutchess County, Inc., is a new, innovative distance running program in central New York that pairs adult mentors with at-risk youth in the Poughkeepsie and Beacon City School Districts, as well as the DC Department of Probation. This is an after-school training program that aims to reduce risk factors such as childhood obesity, gang involvement, school drop out, and substance abuse. The Marathon Project provides opportunities for students to set and achieve goals, explore avenues for character development, improve health, and build positive student/adult relationships through mentoring. The Marathon Project has tapped into local races sponsored by the Mid Hudson Road Runners Club with the goal of preparing youth to run the full or half Philadelphia Marathon.
Featured on the KR Web site (2007)

Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon's Youth Running Program
Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
Email: info@mtcmarathon.org
Web site: school program
2,000 students and 40 schools are expected to participate this year.
Twin Cities has recently hired a full-time coordinator that will work with the metro area school districts to recruit participants. A year-round training program for elementary students that is internet based will be launched in the fall and a partnership with local park recreation programs will provide training opportunities this summer.
Featured on the KR Web site (2007)

Mercedes Kids' Run
Mercedes Marathon
Birmingham, AL
205-870-7771
Justin Joffrion
Email: justin@mercedesmarathon.com
Web site: mercedesmarathon.com/kidsmarathon.htm
The Mercedes Kid's Marathon is designed to promote physical wellness among youth. Children involved in the program run 25.2 miles over a 16 week period, keeping a running log as they do so. The children run 1/4- 1 mile at a time during physical education class or at home with a parent. The last mile of the marathon is run at the Mercedes Marathon.

Students Run L.A.
City of Los Angeles Marathon, CA
Reseda, CA
(818) 997-2451
Web site: srla.org
250 teachers from 140 schools supported 2,247 students in their training
2,231 of those students completed the full 26.2 mile distance in March, an impressive 99.3% finish rate!
The program which began with a teacher in 1987 focuses on at-risk students in junior and senior high schools. Another impressive statistic is that 90% of the participating seniors graduate from high school and 80% go on to college. Honda and Saucony provide running shoes for every participant.

Students Run Philly Style
Philadelphia, PA
( 267) 765-2387
Contact: Heather McDaniel
Email: mcdanel@nncc.us
Web site: nncc.us/programs/programs_runphilly.html
STUDENTS RUN Philly Style is the only program in Philadelphia that offers marathon training to help young people succeed in life. We do this by connecting students with adult mentors who help them imagine and accomplish goals beyond their dreams, including the completion of a marathon, a feat less than 1% of the population in the U.S. has achieved. STUDENTS RUN Philly Style helps youth go farther in life: by living a healthy lifestyle, by graduating from high school, by making safe choices, and by developing positive relationships with adult mentors.

Team M3 beyond the finish line
Chicago, IL
(773) 313-0075
Contact: Cathy Braund
Email: cathy@mgrf.org
Web site: m3.mgrf.org
The Marilyn G. Rabb FoundationÕs Mentoring Marathon, Team M3 connects at-risk Chicago Public High Schoolstudents with committed adult mentors to train for and complete the Chicago Distance Classic and the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
Team M3 promotes long-term healthy living by encouraging youth to go well beyond the finish line in their pursuits of excellence, both for their bodies and minds. Team M3 provides all students and mentors with the support and encouragement needed to set and reach goals, improve health and develop relationships that last well beyond the finish line.

MILEAGE
Feelin' Good (Crim Kids Fitness)
Flint, MI
Contact: Marti Austin
810-235-3398
Email: maustin@flint.org
Web site: http://www.crim.org/kids.php
Based on the Feeling Good Mileage Club, this is a site-based program at Genesee County, Michigan Schools. This simple, grade-school level program encourages kids to complete distances (either walking or running) during lunch, recess or after school periods as decided by a coordinating teacher. Participants are awarded small incentives for every five miles completed.

Lakers on the Run at Lakeside Elementary
Orange Park, Florida
Web site: clay.k12.fl.us/les/
Every Friday is Fitness Friday for 600 K to sixth-graders who run laps to build their endurance. This 20-year-old program in Orange Park, Florida, has the highest school participation rate in local fun runs, bringing an average of 300 kids.

Mile Club at Shady Grove Elementary
Ambler, Pennsylvania
215-619-0781
Contact: Kate Schwartz
Email: kates007@comcast.net
Web site: mciunix.mciu.k12.pa.us/~sgeweb/index.htm
Recess means track time for up to 300 K to fifth-graders in Ambler, Pennsylvania; they run/walk a half mile to a mile each day. The three-year-old club, recognized by the American Running Association with its Youth Fitness Honor Award in 2005, uses wall charts to display the kids' mileage totals, and when kids reach 10 miles, their names are announced in front of classmates.

P.A.C.E. Trek (Promoting Active Children Everywhere)
Missoula, Montana
Contacts: Paul Staso
Web site: pacetrek.com
Paul Staso is an ultra-endurance athlete who is committed to encouraging children toward greater health and fitness, and the pursuit of their goals and dreams, through virtual treks. In 2006 he ran 3,260 miles solo across America. Now each year he takes thousands of school children on a 3-week virtual trek adventure while teaching, inspiring and encouraging via his online classroom. Each trek is free to school children worldwide. Through each endurance trek he undertakes Paul emphasizes a simple idea: If you take care of your body it can take you on some wonderful adventures. Featured on KR Web site (2009)
Press Release
Featured on KR Web site (2009)

See Us Run
Missoula, Montana
Web site: seeusrun.com
This program supports a 4th and 5th grade physical education curriculum at Russell Elementary School in Missoula, Montana that was done during the 2005-2006 school year. The virtual Run/ Walk Across America challenge, from Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach, Oregon to Cape Henlopen at Lewes, Delaware, was solely designed to promote physical activity as a way of life and to encourage the school's students to be more conscious of their health and nutrition. The Web site serves as a resource for anyone planning their own virtual trek.
Featured on KR Web site (2005)

Washington FitKids
Yakima, Washington
Contacts: Tom Kelleher and Kathleen Goyette
Email: tom@workfitplayfit.com
Email: kath@essentialc.com
The Washington FitKids model was built on the foundation that teaching students how to care for their bodies is as important as teaching them how to develop their minds. That said, organizers reached out to a teacher who had already created a successful model for running with her students. FitKids volunteers took that model and added a couple of components and tested the program in two classrooms for the first year. First year results were impressive with the first-graders who participated in the program posting a class average of time for the 400 that was 40 seconds faster than other first grade classes in the district! The students collectively covered nearly 3000 miles.
Featured on KR Web site (2006)

Youth Running Program (Beach Charities)
St. Pete Beach, FL
727-363-8880
Email: alanj@motionsportsmanagement.com
The Youth Running Program is designed to get elementary and middle school kids to get involved with a running or walk/run program. The program's focus is participation, achievement and the incorporation of healthy choices into everyday lives. The Youth Running Program serves 3,500 New York school children each week. The program is also Incentive-based for milestones reached, such as a cumulative five miles and each marathon (26.2 miles).

Walk/Run Across America at Howe Special Education School and Dearborn Montessori Academy
Dearborn, MI
313-827-7000
Contact: Dr. Susan MacKenzie
Web site: dearbornschools.org/schools/howe.htm
Able-bodied students and those in wheelchairs or using walkers log miles and compete together to win the class trophy. More than 160 first- to fifth-graders have racked up 14,000 miles this past year at the Dearborn, Michigan, school.

PRESIDENT'S CHALLENGE
Active Lifestyles Program (The President's Challenge)
Bloomington, IN
1-800-258-8146
Email:preschal@indiana.edu
Web site: presidentschallenge.org/the_challenge/active_lifestyle.aspx
The Active Lifestyle program shows you how to make a commitment to staying active and how to stick to it. The program helps you set realistic goals to encourage fitness for a lifetime.
Link to Qualifying Standards for the Mile Run

RELAYS
Club Relay Challenge (Boston Athletic Association)
Boston, MA
617-236-1652
Email: mile27@baa.org
Web site: bostonmarathon.org/KidsRunning/Default.asp
The BAA's Club Relay Challenge, in partnership with Adidas, incorporates track and field into the school curriculum of some 750 Boston-area youth. Over a four-week period, students train for a series of age-group and team-oriented relay races held just a few days prior to the running of the Boston Marathon.

McGee Milers
Catherine M. McGee Middle School
Berlin, CT
Bryan Plona
Email: bplona@berlinschools.org
Web site: pe.mcgee.berlinschools.org/indexfolder/mcgeemilers.html
The McGee Milers run relay style, next to their teacher Bryan Plona in the Hartford Marathon. The program is referred to as "Jeff's Running Partners." In 2002 Jeff R. Partridge died of a heart attack while training for the Hartford Marathon. To honor the memory of Jeff, the Hartford Marathon Foundation created a relay race for school children within the Hartford Marathon based on what the McGee Milers have done since 1998. Since the program began in 2002, the McGee Milers have participated in this event in honor of Jeff.
Featured on the KR Web site (2003)

Junior Youth Relay (RunVermont)
Burlington, VT
802-863-8412
Email: info@runvermont.org
A 10-week training program for youths aged 11 to 16. The goal for the kids is for them to train for and run a relay leg in the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon & Marathon Relay in late May.

RUNNING CAMPS
Youth Running Camps (RunVermont)
Burlington, VT
802-863-8412
Email: info@runvermont.org
Web site: runvermont.org
A week-long day camp for junior high and high school runners. Runners develop their running and racing skills and learn to train intelligently.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Washington, DC
(202) 628-3630
Email: info@specialolympics.org
Web site: specialolympics.com
Providing year-round sports training and athletic competition to more than 2.2 million people with intellectual disabilities in more than 150 countries. "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

TRACK & FIELD
Averill Park Road Runners
Averill Park, NY
518-273-5552 (h)
Contact: Nicole DePasquale
Email: ndepasquale@nycap.rr.com
(found at USATF.org)
An 11-year-old program, open to kids aged 7 to 14. This youth running group hosts practices starting in early April at Averill High School, has taken part in the annual USATF Junior Olympics for Track and Field, and culminates its season with the local Junior Olympics.

Bethlehem Youth Track and Field Club
Bethlehem, NY
518-475-1927 (h)
Contact: Paul Turner
Email: pturner1@nycap.rr.com
(found at USATF.org)

City Sports for Kids
New York, NY
Contat: Bob Glover
Email: CoachBob@CoachGlover.com
Web site: http://www.nyrrc.org/classes/citysports.html
City Sports for Kids at the New Balance Track and Field Center at the Armory is a youth track and field program that is part of the New York Road Runners Foundation. Founded in 1990, City Sports for Kids offers skills training for children of all ability levels in long-distance running, sprints, relays, hurdles, long jump, high jump, and javelin. Each session includes low-key meets within age group categories and colorful ribbons and t-shirts for all. The goals of the program are to promote physical fitness, self-esteem, and understanding among youth of different backgrounds.

Hershey's Track and Field Games
Lancaster, PA (Mid-Atlantic Region)
330-971-8227
Contact: Darrell Lovelette
Email: lovelettemd@cityofcf.com
Web site: http://www.hersheystrackandfield.com/index.aspx
Founded in 1975, the Hershey's Track & Field Games is the largest youth sports program of its kind in the United States and Canada. Meets take place in every state and province in North America. The program culminates with the North American Final Meet, which takes place in Hershey, Pa.

The program's goal is to introduce kids to physical fitness through basic events like running, jumping and throwing. It also works to help kids reach their potential and achieve a sense of personal reward.

Junior Olympic Track and Field (USATF)
Indianapolis, IN
317-261-0500
Contact: Andy Martin
Email: andy.martin@usatf.org
Web site: usatf.org

Memphis Mustangs Track Club
Memphis, TN
901-503-0513 (h)
Contact: Sharon Cook
Web site: memphismustangs@midsouth.rr.com
The Memphis Mustangs Track Club is a 501 3c non-profit organization that provides an environment where children learn perseverance, sportsmanship, determination and self-discipline. Our hope is that through the relationships and the lessons learned, via track and field these children will continue their development as good students and responsible citizens.

TRACK & FIELD AND CROSS-COUNTRY
Attleboro YMCA Jaguars Track & Field Program Attleboro, MA
508-222-7422 ext. 124
Contact: Ed Poirier
Email: epattleboroymca@yahoo.com
Ages 6 to 18 girls & boys. Spring/Summer season April to October Fall/Winter season October to April. Coaching in sprints, middle distance & XC, shot put, high jump, long jump, javelin. Track meets optional many parent youth activities. A program you can do for life.
Featured on the KR Web site

Chatham Gold Youth Track and Field and Cross-Country Program Chatham, NY
518-392-4662 (w)
Contact: Shari Franks Crellin Morris Association
Email: cma@taconic.net
(found at USATF.org)
Established in 1994 for children in grades 3 through 6. Its goal is to provide youths with an introduction to athletics and running, and to help kids build their self-esteem and confidence by discovering their potential for personal improvement in athletic performances. Season consists of practices and culminates in the Junior Olympics.

Clifton Park Track Club
Clifton Park, NY
518-877-0122 (h)
518-469-9831 (w)
Contact: Mark Tebbano
Email: tebbanom@aol.com
(found at USATF.org)
This youth running program was founded to introduce youths aged 8 to 14 to cross-country and track & field, with the goal of getting them ready for competition. Registration is in April and the season runs May through July. Kids aged 8 to 15 are welcome. Events include the USATF Junior Olympics, the Hershey meets, and local youth track events. 120 kids will participate this year for spring track, 45 for fall cross country. About 50 percent of these are first-time participants. The club is run by volunteers, as well as by coaches from Shenendehowa Central School District. And it has served as a feeder program for high school track and cross country. Practices are held twice per week, and each participant follows a training program.

Delmar Track and Field Club
P.O. Box 53
Glenmont, NY 12077
518-478-9344 (h)
Contact: Mary Ellen Chardavoyne
Email: delmartrackandfield@yahoo.com
Web site: http://www.delmartrackandfield.com
Founded in 2006 the Delmar Track and Field Club serves the Delmar/Albany, NY community. Membership is open to athletes from 6 years old to 18 years old, but our main focus is on elementary and middle-school children. Over 60 children will participate this year. The Delmar Track and Field Club is a member of the Adirondack Association of the USA Track and Field Association. We participate in the Empire/Liberty Series as well as the Junior Olympics. We are run by parents and volunteer coaches. Children are encouraged to try out the different events available in track and field, and cross country. Our mascot is the Whippet, a really fast dog!

Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club
Albany, NY
518-456-5942 (h)
Contact: Doug Bowden
Email: bowden@nycap.rr.com
(found at USATF.org)
This group holds meetings on the second Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the Point of Woods Recreation Center. HMRRC promotes and sponsors road races throughout the year. The races are of all distances and for all ages and abilities. HMRRC also publishes a monthly magazine.

Onteora Runners Club
Athens, NY
518-731-7697 (h)
518-828-5676 (w)
Contact: Richard Gromek
Email: gromekr@aol.com
(found at USATF.org)
The Onteora Runners Club is a member of USATF and supports youth members participating in Junior Olympic events. It competes in the Adirondack Association of USATF. ORC is the southernmost club in the association.

Red Gremlin Athletic Club
Red Hook, NY
518-373-5767 (w)
Contact: Jason DeRocco
Email: runningman48@hotmail.com
(found at USATF.org)
The Red Gremlin Athletic Club is a school club at Niskayuna High School in New York. It uses this name when traveling to the national championships, since it can't currently compete as its own high school team. Currently, the club is looking to branch out for the USATF Junior Olympics.

Glencadia Bullets Youth Running Club
Kinderbrook/Valatie, NY
518-784-3320 (h)
518-885-4444 (w)
Contact: Chris Volney
Email: chrisvolney@tbscontrols.com
(found at USATF.org)
Youth runners are aged 8 to 14, boys and girls. The club runs dual meets and invitational competitions within its USAT&F Adirondack Association. Normally, 70 kids are enrolled. Practices are held two to three times a week, once season starts. This year's first practice was April 9 at the Ichabod Crane High School track. This year, the club will host the Adirondack Association Junior Olympics, also at the ICHS track. Kids sign up through the local school district and advertisements in the local papers.

Nittany Track and Field
State College, PA
Contact: John Schmidt
Email: jps28@psu.edu
Web site: http://mysite.verizon.net/ntfxc/about.html
Nittany Track & Field is a non-profit club that offers track and field training and competition that is suited to all levels of ability and experience. The club and coaches encourage participants to set personal goals and develop discipline and techniques needed to reach those goals. Club objectives are to foster a positive, fun, and supportive atmosphere for training. Boys and girls, aged 8 to 18, are welcome. Athletes participating with middle and high school track will not be allowed to participate until their school season is complete. The Club has two sessions throughout the year: Summer track and field (May-July) and Fall cross country (September-December).

ORC Youth Running Series Program
Kingston, NY
518-731-7697
Email: gromekr@aol.com

YOUTH RUNNING FESTIVALS
Y.A.M. Scram (RunVermont)
Burlington, VT
802-863-8412
Email: info@runvermont.org
Web site: runvermont.org
A youth running festival held during marathon weekend in late May. There are half-, 1- and 2- mile runs, plus pre- and post- run activities.

YOUTH WORKSHOPS
Youth Programs Workshop
Torrey Pines Hilton La Jolla (San Diego), CA
(805) 683-0408 Contact: Linda Honikman
Email: rric@runningusa.org
New Youth Web site The Running USA Conference (February 8 - 10, 2009) "20 in 10" Changing the Course Also visit runningrocks.com for an extensive list of youth programs.

Email rwedit@rodale.com