Over 1000 Run Their First 5K!

Many of you know that have the honor and privilege of being a board member for a wonderful nonprofit organization called GO FAR (Go Out For A Run). GO FAR is a 10-week program that trains elementary-aged kids (mainly 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders) to run their first 5K. In addition to the running, the program also fosters character-building skills and teaches the young participants how to make good fitness and nutrition decisions.

This past Saturday, over 1,000 runners (mostly kids ages 8-12) participated in the Spring 2010 GO FAR 5K in High Point, NC, to celebrate the completion of their GO FAR programs. Students from 24 area elementary schools that host GO FAR programs as well as a few other non-school-related organizations that host GO FAR programs participated in the race. It was quite a site seeing hundreds of kids clad in school-colored GO FAR shirts, gathered around school tents, while doing group stretching with their GO FAR coaches prior to the race. Some were even doing motivational cheers to pump themselves up for the big event. Not only did I see kids and coaches, I saw entire families participating.

I was honored that Robin Lindsay (GO FAR founder) asked me to video tap the event again this year. I had a blast going from group to group getting footage of all the excited participants prior, during, and after the race. While videotaping, I even helped one poor little guy who got a tummy ache during the run by walking with him a few blocks. I thought he was going to have to sit out, then all of the sudden he got a burst of energy and was gone....left me in his dust. Now that's sticktoitness! I saw the little fella later and he was laughing and having a great time with his fellow running buddies.

To find out more about GO FAR and how to bring the program to your school or community, be sure to check out their website.

Below is my video creation. I hope you have as much fun watching it as I did making it.

Kids Complete Fitness Program and Run Their First 5K!

If you've been following the blog, you may remember a post about a wonderful nonprofit organization called GO FAR (Go Out For a Run). GO FAR is a comprehensive fitness program for children which promotes physical activity, healthy eating and good character. The goal of the GO FAR program is to empower children to make healthy lifestyle choices that they may integrate and sustain throughout their entire life. Specifically, GO FAR teaches children to set and reach goals and complete a 5K road race. GO FAR was developed in response to the childhood obesity epidemic.

Today I had the wonderful privilege of attending the 7th Annual GO FAR 5K Fall race held in High Point, NC. 1000 runners (a record crowd) ran the race. About 75% of the runners were kids and the other 25% were coaches, volunteers, and parents. The success of the race is a result of the GO FAR kids, their great mom's and dads, teachers and the dedicated volunteers and wonderful sponsors.

What a wonderful experience of accomplishment for the kids, coaches, parents, and volunteers. I didn't know any of the runners, but my heart swelled with pride as I watched them cross that finish line. It was truly inspiring seeing their beaming faces as they finished and received their medals.

GO FAR is not just a program for North Carolina. The organization has already branched out to other states and it hopes to grow even more. To find out more about starting a GO FAR Club in your area [click here]. To get a sampling of what a GO FAR 5K race is like, check out the video clip below that RunnerDude filmed of today's festivities!