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EDITOR'S UPDATE

Do you have a budding Olympian? The OC Kids Marathon Run offers a training program for kids who are first-timers  Published: January, 2009

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The Orange County Marathon will host the 5th Annual Kids Run on May 2.  To prepare for the event, various elementary schools throughout the county will participate in a 10-week training program. The deadline for registration is February 16.   The Kids Run Training Program was designed to help pre-adolescent youth become more physically fit, to promote an active and healthy lifestyle, and cto ombat the onset of childhood obesity. The program consists of on-campus after school fitness and nutrition education for students in grades 3 through 6, twice a week for 1 hour. Teachers, staff, and parents are also welcome to join the program. Volunteer coaches, who are trained and certified, will introduce students to running, stretching, and other health-related fitness activities, as well as provide sports nutrition education presentations.   By the end of the 10-week program each student will have accumulated the equivalent of 25.2 miles through various games and activities and have increased knowledge regarding healthy food choices and good eating habits. Students will also be ready to participate in The OC Marathon Kids Run 1-Mile Run on May 2, at the Orange County Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. There is a race registration fee of $25.00 per participant, but if students register online, $5.00 of the race registration fee will be returned to the school.   For the first time, schools can fundraise through their participation in the program.  Schools and Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) are encouraged to set up an online pledge campaign for student runners through ActiveGiving.com.  All funds raised through Active Giving are distributed directly to school foundations or PTAs.   Orange County Superintendent of Schools William M. Habermehl says, “Increasing the physical fitness of our students is linked to better overall health and higher academic performance. Learning about fitness and nutrition in a fun environment is the reason that the Orange County Kids Run program, which started with 400 youth in 2005, has expanded to over 1,500 in 2008. In these tough budget times, I am pleased that schools will be able to use this exciting program not only to encourage physical fitness, but to raise money for schools.”   For more information visit this site, or contact Chris Corliss, Orange County Department of Education, Coordinator of Health, Sports and Physical Education Programs at ccorliss@ocde.us or 714-966-4355.

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