Happy Feet Program
Happy Feet, Healthy Food - Kids Running Program
(June 12, 2010)
Kids Marathon Final Leg in Litchfield
On Saturday, June 12th, Litchfield students in Rod Dixon's KiDSMARATHON program put on in association with the Litchfield Parks and Recreation Department, the Litchfield Public Schools and the Connecticut Association of Schools ran their final 1.2 mile leg of the KiDSMARATHON at the Plumb Hill Playing Fields Track on Plumb Hill Road, followed by a running clinic given by Rod Dixon himself.
The eight-week program began with the kids' first workout on the day of the Boston Marathon, April 19th. Over the next eight weeks the KM kids ran a total of 25 miles as proscribed in the training manual, written by Dixon a New Zealand native, an Olympic track medalist and winner of the prestigious New York City Marathon. The KM workouts are four times a week, two of which are overseen after school by adult volunteers and 10 Litchfield High School Track and Cross Country athletes who act as mentors to the young KiDSMARATHONERS who are ages 7-12.
Rod Dixon's running philosophy is “Finishing is Winning and Winning is Finishing!” therefore all the kids who complete the 26.2 miles of the KiDSMARATHON are indeed winners with a great start to an active healthy lifestyle. The KM has teamed up locally with the Litchfield Hills Farm-Fresh Market and through a grant to Litchfield Parks and Recreation from the Housatonic Valley Coalition Against Substance Abuse, put on a free healthy luncheon for all KM kids and their siblings under 12, adults at the open air market located on Woodruff Street, near Center School.
KiDSMARATHON is the future in creative, motivational and, most importantly, life- changing fitness programs for kids. It encompasses healthy eating habits, regular exercise and stretching correctly...focusing on kids 7 years through 12 years. It is an eight-week program where kids learn about running, the marathon and the history of the Olympics. The program is entwined with the health and fitness curriculum at Litchfield's schools, including continuation of the successful Chef in Residence program, all combined for a great beginning to the journey of active, healthy living for KiDSMARATHON PIONEERS.
www.KiDSMARATHON.com
Dear KiDSMARATHON PIONEERS.... I want to salute you as you step up to the challenge of becoming athletes, beginning with your first steps in training. Most people will never run any race in their life. Some will never run a mile. Running in the KiDSMARATHON is a way to show your family, teachers, and friends that you took the challenge, finished the race and won your medal. No one can take that from you. Have a wonderful time in the days ahead as you run with your friends, become fitter and faster, and aim for race day. Run like the wind.... Bill Rodgers.. Olympian and four-time winner of Boston and New York City Marathons.
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All participants must be between the ages of 7 and 12 and be a student in a Litchfield school. Each child will receive a training manual, a Rod Dixon KiDSMARATHON T-shirt and a marathon “finisher” medal. “Finishing is Winning and Winning is Finishing!”
Mr. Dixon is a five-time Olympian with a bronze medal in the 1500 meters, winner of national championships in 5 countries and has won the New York City Marathon, the Falmouth Road Race and the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta.
The entry fee for the event is $5 and is run in conjunction with the Litchfield Parks and Recreation Department and the Litchfield Schools.
This running program teaches nutrition, stretching, and training techniques to help youngsters get a head start on a long and healthy lifestyle. The program is timed to give the kids a good base for them if they want to compete in any of the Children's Races at Litchfield Hills Road Race set for June 13th.
Kids Marathon Form 2010
Kids Marathon Form (pdf)
All forms for the KidsMarathon should be sent to:
Litchfield Parks and Recreation
P.O. Box 12, Bantam, CT 06750.
Any questions, please contact
Litchfield Parks and Recreation at (860) 567-7569
KiDSMARATHON goes Statewide
The KiDSMARATHON is now being offered to 1100 schools in CT through CAS-CIAC. LHFS is a sponsor through the CT-Grown program. Between 1,000 to 1,500 elementary-school kids 7 - 12 are expected to train for "final events" in Southington (May 22), Norwich (June 5) and Litchfield (June 12). This is the third year of this breakthrough fitness and nutrition program, brought to Litchfield in 2008 by LHFS in partnership with Litchfield's Parks and Rec Department.
Learn more at the Litchfield Parks & Recreation web site:
The purpose for this program is to encourage healthy eating habits in elementary school children in Litchfield Center and Intermediate Schools. This program will provide funding for purchasing and distributing 300 copies of Carol Goodrow's “Happy Feet, Healthy Food; Your Child's First Journal of Exercise and Healthy Eating.” This book is the first step in teaching children about good health and nutrition, as well as the importance of physical activity to healthy lifestyles. The book serves as a sourcebook for children and families, with simple recipes for healthy food, hundreds of suggestions for fun exercise, along with space to keep track of daily exercise and the healthy foods eaten.
The distribution of this book, along with introductory seminars and follow-up activities for monitoring the use of the book would provide foundational support for the Litchfield Parks and Recreation's planned KIDSMARATHON project. KIDSMARATHON is a 10-week training program that enables children to complete a full marathon by running approximately 4 kilometers per week. The children would finish the last 2 kilometers at the Litchfield Hills Road Race in June as the culminating activity of this project that will give the participants the thrill of accomplishment when they finish their marathon in front of thousands of spectators. KIDSMARATHON is the future in creative, motivational and, most importantly, life changing fitness programs for kids. In the Litchfield area, the on-site involvement of running legend Rod Dixon presents kids with a great role model that they will actually have the opportunity to run with at training sessions.
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