Running club keeps kids in shape with fun

By Jannine Myers

Running is an activity that comes naturally to most young kids, but ask a kid to run more than a mile without stopping and you’re bound to meet with some resistance. Yet that’s exactly what Kadena Youth Center’s child and youth program assistant is doing and she’s getting good results.

            Concerned about the increase of childhood obesity in America, Amy Stewart felt that a running club might be a fun way to get the kids moving. A seasoned runner with four marathons under her belt and another approaching, she says that running is a, “great way to have fun, beat stress and stay in shape.”

            Her supervisor, Teresa Witschen, was also keen on the idea and approved the club for Youth Center members ages 9 to 12.

            Each club session involves an eight-week cycle of training that ends with an official 5-kilometer (3.1 miles) running event. During the training, club members meet once a week and run 2.5 to 3.5 miles.

            Stewart says that the weekly runs not only add more activity to the kids’ weekly schedules but they also foster great relationships among the kids by teaching them to encourage and support each other. In addition to their group runs, members are also expected to run at least one other time during the week with a family member or friend.

            While Stewart certainly hopes that the kids will reap the health benefits of running, she says that the main objective is for the kids to have fun. She emphasizes to the kids that they are competing only against themselves. It becomes evident to them when they realize they are capable of achieving goal distances that they initially thought were too difficult.

 “By encouraging them to try new things,” says Stewart, “and setting them up for success, we are changing these kids’ lives forever.”

            Julia Simpson, 9, is an example of such success. She says she runs to stay fit and that since joining the running club she and a friend have partnered up to start a dog-walking business. Now Julia runs twice a week and walks dogs once a week.

            Jarod Kaltenbaugh says he enjoys being a club member because he was able to race in the 5-k event that took place May 15. Hosted by Risner Fitness Center, Stewart and club members met at Marek Park at 6:30 a.m. With the support of his father who ran alongside him, Jarod ran an impressive 25:57.

            Equally impressive was young Javier Michael, 11, who kept pace with some of the faster adults and to finish at 23:08.                     While not all the kids were speedsters, each did exceptionally well in completing the 5-k distance. Some stayed on afterward to run an additional two miles in a secondary event hosted by the America’s Kids Run organization.

            The event marked the completion of the club’s second eight-week session. Stewart attributes the success of the program not just to the great efforts put in by the kids but also the tremendous support given by their parents. She also credits the voluntary assistance she’s received from Kadena High School Track and Field team members, Avery Lennard and Jacob Bishop.

            Stewart hopes to keep the momentum going by encouraging more kids to join the running club. It will close for the summer months but those interested can register for the next session in early fall now at Kadena Youth Center. For more information, visit the center or call 634-500.