20 Mar 2013 Kids Run Arkansas marks fifth anniversary
by Paige Turner
Kids Run Arkansas will celebrate its fifth anniversary with a race/walk on Friday, April 19, at Laurel Park in Conway.
The race, sponsored by Conway Regional Health System, is a one-mile walk and three-mile run aimed at fighting childhood obesity by involving children and their families in fun physical activity. Registration for the race is $8 per child and $24 for a family of four.
Race director Amy Routt is excited about the race’s fifth year.
“This is our five-year anniversary of the race and every year it has grown tremendously in participation and I think it’s going to keep growing,” Routt said. “I also feel like there is a community-wide mission for fighting obesity and I think this race is just one more way to bring awareness to kids and families so that everyone realizes how important it is to be active together.”
The Kids Run Arkansas event will feature food, face painting, prizes, games and other exercise-inspired activities. Participants will also receive a shirt with their registration fee. Routt says the race’s affordable registration is a key aspect in the event’s success.
“One thing that is very unique about Kids Run Arkansas is that we keep the cost of the race as minimal as possible so everyone can feel free to participate,” Routt said
Along with getting families and children involved with exercise activities, Conway Regional Health System has recruited the help of area schools and their physical education programs by encouraging their students’ participation in the race. The school with the most registered participants will be awarded a $300 scholarship for their PE program.
Routt hopes that the overall message children and their families take away from the event is the importance of active living. “I hope the kids can see that being active can be fun, it doesn’t have to be this uncomfortable and miserable thing all the time,” Routt said. “When you’re being active with others like your family and friends it can be a blast.”
A registration form is available by calling the Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center at 501.450.9292 or visiting conwayregional.org/ClassesPrograms. Deadline for registration is Thursday, March 28.
