Healthy Kids Running Series is a national inclusive and fun youth running experience where kids aged 2 to 14 compete in age appropriate races and develop an active lifestyle.
Last fall, Perkasie resident Kelly Jo Flannery brought a series to Poppy Yoder Field (South Middle School). Over 100 kids registered to run the five-week series and it was complete with visits from Perkasie Fire Company, Boy Scout troops, a local gym heading up warmups, and a local DJ spinning motivating tunes every week.
The last race of the series is complete with a parent mile, which was a big hit with the kids in the fall.
“What better way to show your kids how to be active than to run a few laps yourself?” Flannery joked.
The spring series begins 5 p.m. March 29 and Flannery is expecting an even bigger turnout this season. Flannery is planning theme weeks, special guests and more surprises.
“When my boys ran in another smaller local chapter of this series, they absolutely loved it. As a runner myself, I knew Perkasie would completely embrace this program. So many kids are involved in local sports and even more families are involved in their community,” Flannery explained. “We want kids to be active – whether its running or another outdoor activity. Our races are kid focused with the ultimate goal of teaching them how to be active, healthy, and be involved in their community.”
“We believe that sports, particularly running, teaches lifelong values such as confidence and accomplishment,” said Jeff Long, founder of Healthy Kids Running Series. “We teach effort, perseverance, persistence, sportsmanship, independence and grit to our participants and their families, as together we are building a healthier generation of active kids.”
Healthy Kids Running Series offers a five-week program in the spring and again in the fall with age-appropriate race distances. Kids compete each week for a chance to earn points, and at the end of the Series, the top boy and girl with the most points in their respective age division earn a trophy. All participants receive a finisher’s medal, race bag stuffed with goodies, and Healthy Kids Running Series tech T-shirt for their achievements.
Early bird registration is $35 for the five-week series prior to March 8 and then increases to $40.
Visit healthykidsrunningseries.org.
