Running program designed to get kids hooked on good health

JACKSONVILLE – A five-week Healthy Kids Running series beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, in Jacksonville and going through Nov. 21 focuses on creating active lifestyles in children that will be carried on through adulthood.

“As a personal trainer in Jacksonville, I see the need for an active lifestyle in adults. As a runner, I see the various benefits of running specifically,” said HKRS Jacksonville community coordinator Amy Garcia.

“Although I have worked with adults mostly, I have been slowly transitioning to youth. I see the positive response in adults and would love to help our youth establish a healthy active lifestyle and method of stress relief,” she said.

The program is being offered at Peoples Church, 14089 U.S. Highway 79 in Jacksonville.

Eight divisions spanning from Pre-K-3 to high school races for various distances, with scoring differing among age groups.

An inaugural offering was held in the spring, drawing 25 participants.

“That is small, but I felt it was a perfect amount to start out with,” Garcia said.

The program is volunteer-based, and for now, Garcia and her family are nurturing the program with “the idea that it will continue to grow as the seasons go by. So, hopefully as it grows, my volunteer base will grow as well.”

The pay off is watching participants become excited “to see how they improve over five weeks,” she said.

Working with volunteers also creates excitement about the program for participants.

“We have had JHS National Honor Society and Cross Country teams help with leading the runners and scoring at the finish line, and that is a big motivation for the kids as well,” Garcia said. “I love being able to host it at my church and hope involvement will grow. It's a great opportunity for community involvement whether you have a child running, want to sponsor a kid as a business or individual or just want to come out and cheer the kids on.”

Cost is $40 for the full series, while entry per race is $10. Participants can sign up by contacting Amy Garcia, 903-284-7273, or by emailing [email protected]