After 12 Weeks of Fun and Informative In-School Training, Students will Complete Their
Final Marathon Mile at the OC Marathon Running Festival, on May 5, 2018
Five Local Schools Will Receive $1,000 Achievement Awards
COSTA MESA, Calif., Feb. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- During the next few months, more than 10,000 school-age children from 150 Orange County, California, schools within 18 school districts will lace up their running shoes and participate in the annual Kids Run the OC program. This volunteer-led fitness program provides elementary and middle school students the opportunity to train and accumulate 25.2 miles of activity. The training is followed by the completion of their final “marathon” mile at Kids Run the OC event, presented by Nutrilite, at the 14th annual OC Marathon Running Festival on Saturday, May 5, 2018.
The Kids Run the OC program was created in 2006 as the centerpiece of the OC Marathon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting health and fitness among school-age children. It is one of the largest youth running programs in the country with more than 65,000 Orange County students participating since inception. In 2015, the proprietary program expanded to Mexico, where it is being implemented in numerous schools across 32 states.
New this year, the OC Marathon Foundation will award $1,000 each to five participating schools, recognizing major milestones such as the school with the most participants, or highest percentage of children in the program. “This year is lining up to be our most successful yet, with more than 10,000 children participating in the Kids Run the OC fitness program at their schools across Orange County,” said Kelsey Beall, Program Director of the OC Marathon Foundation. “In addition to improving their health and fitness levels, the children also build confidence, self-discipline and self-esteem in a fun, interactive and engaging way. We look forward to seeing them complete their ‘final mile’ on May 5 at our Kids Run the OC event, presented by Nutrilite.”
Dozens of local Orange County schools have benefited from the program for many years, including Greenville Elementary in Santa Ana, California, which now has more than 400 students participating in 2018. “There is nothing more rewarding than watching our students train and become more physically fit while having fun,” said Doug Denniston, Head Running Coach at Greenville Elementary. “Running a mile is a huge confidence booster for them. As a runner I know that there is no other feeling that compares to crossing that finish line after months of training. I love watching the kids on race day, and seeing how proud they are when they finish, and have that medal to show for it.”
How It Works
Each year, the 10- to 12-week, in-school program enlists the aid of approximately 250, Kids Run the OC-trained, volunteer parents, teachers and school officials to serve as coaches. They lead the children in structured, fast-paced aerobic activities, and games to help increase endurance, muscular strength and flexibility. Weekly nutritional challenges encourage the children to learn healthy eating behaviors, which can be shared with their families at home. By the end of the program, the students will have accumulated the equivalent of 25.2 miles of running activity, and then have the opportunity to complete the final 26th mile at the Kids Run event, presented by Nutrilite, held on Saturday, May 5, 2018, at the OC Marathon.
About the OC Marathon Running Festival
Now in its 14th year, the 2018 OC Marathon Running Festival is a world-class event featuring a marathon, half-marathon, 5k, the Kids Run the OC Final Mile, and the OC Lifestyle and Fitness Expo, all held at the Orange County Fair and Events Center in Costa Mesa, California, from May 4 to 6, 2018. The marathon and half-marathon is one of the best destination courses on the West Coast with a diverse terrain, changing coastal and inland vistas, and majestic ocean views. During the weekend, more than 23,000 participants, including over 10,000 children, will enjoy food, music and other family-fun entertainment.
To register for the races, or for more information about how to get involved including corporate sponsorships, visit ocmarathon.com or email info@ocmarathon.com.
For more information about Kids Run the OC, and how to bring the program to your community, visit www.kidsruntheoc.org, or email info@kidsruntheoc.org.
Contact:
Erin Peacock
Peacock PR
(949) 939-1872, peacockpr@cox.net
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/764b9a57-ef25-412a-9790-c1a9816856e7