CARMEL, Calif. - As the 2010 school year has ended across the nation, the JUST RUN youth fitness program has tallied its numbers for the 2009-10 academic year. Nearly 6,000 children, representing 79 schools in 17 states, logged over 200,000 miles. Nineteen classes were awarded Certificates of Congratulations for completing their 3,200 mile virtual runs across the USA, tracked on the program's website, and 14,000 acts of good citizenship, or "Just Deeds", were recorded.
Nationally recognized as a successful, easy to implement and fun program for both students and leaders, JUST RUN experienced significant growth throughout the United States during the 2009-10 school year. Geographic expansion of the program included the adoption of JUST RUN by four new independently operating satellite programs located in Green Bay, WI; Long Beach, CA; Albany, NY and Miami Lakes, FL.
Designed by the Big Sur International Marathon to promote physical activity and combat the epidemic of childhood obesity, JUST RUN targets children ages 7-12.
Susan Love, Program Administrator of JUST RUN states, "This is an important time to introduce healthy habits such as exercise and nutrition. The kids love the program and get so excited about participating on a regular basis. They experience pride in accomplishment in a safe and non-competitive environment. Our program has definitely made a positive impact on the lives of these students."
JUST RUN has earned "extra credit" this year for continuing to upgrade and supplement its program. Three professionally produced videos - Just Run Overview, Getting Started, and Relays and Drills - were added to the website to make it easier for any leader in any locale to implement the program. Also in production is a manual for leaders to use as they work with the children on-site.
In addition to the ongoing program, JUST RUN encourages schools to implement "goal races" for the children and/or to encourage them to participate in local, kid-friendly distance events. In Monterey County, CA, home of JUST RUN, two 3K races are held in conjunction with the Big Sur Marathon's events - a half-marathon in the fall and the renowned Big Sur International Marathon in the spring.
The FREE, website-based program provides a wealth of information for students and leaders on nutrition and exercise, student login screens for good deeds and mileage tracking, local race information and much more.
"What sets JUST RUN apart is the fact that it is a year-round program," said Love. "We want to instill the importance of exercise on a daily basis, as part of a healthy lifestyle." She added, "JUST RUN is easy to implement and is available to anyone who would like to have a positive impact on our children and youth. It simply requires an enthusiastic leader, a group of kids, a computer and a place to run."
JUST RUN program developer Mike Dove further remarked, "We're pleased that Michelle Obama's new Let's Move program advocates what we have been doing for the past five years."
For more information, visit www.justrun.org or contact Susan Love at (831) 625-6226 or susanwlove@sbcglobal.net