Kids for Running Program Gets Kids Off the Couch

May 23, 2014

Prying the kids away from their video games and television shows can be a challenge, but a Bellin Run program is up to the task.

The Kids for Running Program prepares thousands of local kids in grades 3-8 to run or walk the 10K (6.2-mile) course. Many students training for the 38th annual Bellin Run will do so through Kids for Running as part of their after-school activities or running programs.

The program is sponsored by the Schneider National Foundation.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says childhood obesity more than tripled over the last 30 years,” said Tia DeLeers, team leader for Pediatrics at Bellin Health and the Kids for Running coordinator. “Obesity in kids aged 6 to 11 years old rose from 6.5 percent in 1980 to almost 20 percent in 2008. In addition, obesity in adolescents ages 12 to 19 years increased from 5 percent to just over 18 percent.”

It’s sobering statistics like these that have Bellin Run organizers working diligently to encourage young people to participate in the 8 a.m. Saturday, June 14 race and the complementary Kids for Running program, DeLeers explained.

“We’ve been very successful in the past with this program, and that’s a good sign,” she said. “Our past successes, however, are only serving to refuel this year’s efforts. Our goal is to spread the messages of exercise, fitness and improved overall health to our young people so that they learn to live healthier lives now and carry that into their adult lives.”

Last year’s Kids for Running program drew nearly 2,375 kids from 65 area schools. Race organizers expect that number to steadily increase.

“As more young people learn to embrace an active, healthy lifestyle, we expect to see our participatory numbers increase,” said Bellin Run assistant race director Linda Maxwell. “That, in turn, hopefully leads to a cumulative effect within our communities as children influence parents, parents influence friends and so on.”

For more information about the Kids for Running program, or to sign up, contact Tia DeLeers, Kids for Running coordinator, at (920) 676-9618 or e-mail [email protected].