For those in the Salt Lake area

I just got an email from SLC Marathon telling about a kids' program that sounds really great. I wish there were more things like this in the area! Here's a little bit about it:

From the SLC marathon website:
"This year, why not give your child a constructive outlet for that cocoa krispie fueled rage? Enter them in the Salt Lake City Kids Marathon (it's not really a 26.2 mile run). It's a program teaching them about being eating right, staying fit and motivating them to do good deeds, it has 26 steps and finishes with a short fun run crossing the Salt Lake City Marathon Gateway finish line through the same excitement our marathon finishers get to enjoy.

The Kids Marathon is a great program, helping to build active, healthy, and responsible kids. Better still it only costs $15, and 2 of those dollars go directly back to the participant's school. In return your child gets a Kids Marathon T-shirt, a Kids Marathon packet mailed out to them, which includes a chart to keep track of their progress with their 26 steps, and also some helpful information for you. Whether enrolled in the program or not, we have monthly "Mile Marker" events in the community for the kids to come and participate in."

Each participating child must complete ONE Fitness Activity + ONE Nutrition Activity or Lesson + ONE Good Deed to equal ONE of the 26 course accomplishments. The program features the following health-related activities:

1) Fitness
Examples: Run, jog, walk, tumble, jump rope, trampoline and reading about fitness realted topics

2) Nutrition:
Examples: Eating right, identifying foods, learning about vitamins & minerals

3) Good Deeds: 26 Units
Examples: Helpful chores and tasks around the home, in school, and in the community. 

So basically, you sign the kids up and participate in these events and goals over the next 6-7 weeks. Then, on April 18th, the kids participate in a Fun Run at 10 am. The website does specify that participation in these "Mile Marker" events is not required in order to do the race on the 18th. "For their participation in the 1K at the Gateway on Saturday, April 18, 2009, kids will receive a finisher's medal, a Kids Marathon shirt, refreshments and an invaluable sense of accomplishment."

First event:

MARCH 2009
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2009
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Cost: FREE to registered Kids Marathon participants (registrations will be accepted on-
site at Mile Marker Events)
Location: The Hogle Zoo
2600 Sunnyside Ave Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Meeting Place at the Hogle Zoo: TBA
Focus: Good Deeds - Come to The Hogle Zoo and celebrate your child's progress in the Kids Marathon program with us! Kids will focus on 'good deeds' activities they can do with their pets, and learn what activities the Hogle Zoo does to enrich the lives of its animals. 
For details on the next event check our website: Kids Marathon

Spring is almost here let's get those kids moving! This is an event you could easily copycat at home. Just set a future date to complete a fun run with the family. Between now and then, work on the challenges listed above. You could make up your own checklist based on the examples above for the kids to complete and sign off. Click on the Kids Marathon link above for downloadable food pyramids, eating tips, etc. Or go to the local library to check out books about eating right, cooking healthy meals, vitamins, fitness, etc.

Another event happening in the area is a 5K Fun Run at Fleet Feet in American Fork on the morning of March 12th at 8 am. It's FREE and there will be a pancake breakfast following the run. This is to celebrate their 2 year anniversary. Great way to get the family out and moving!

This is something I feel really passionate about- one of the greatest gifts we can give (ourselves) and our children is teaching them to take care of their bodies so that they can live a full, happy, healthy life.