Run Fit is a fitness program for adults and youth to help you achieve a running or fitness goal.
RunFit and the John Baker Foundation Team Up
To Help Kids Get Fit and Stay Fit
and
To Help Curb Childhood Obesity
New ‘RunFit’ After School initiative to Involve Hundreds of Youth throughout Albuquerque & Rio Rancho
RunFit (a not for profit organization) launched the spring of 2007 as a bold joint initiative aimed at curbing the growing epidemic of childhood obesity by creating a running program for children at after-school (or before school) programs across the district. RunFit began last spring with over 500 students throughout the Albuquerque Public Schools participating.
“RunFit is designed to help youth of all sizes, fitness and ability levels utilize the discipline of running to improve health, build character and uplift the spirit” said RunFit founder Stephen Pino. “Afterschool programs such as RunFit play a vital role in the lives our communities by keeping kids’ safe, creating healthy habits and helping working families.”
RunFit is a fun, intensive program which motivates and trains elementary school students to run one mile to 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) without stopping, through active participation on an after school (or before school) running team. Participants learn to set and achieve challenging personal goals and are awarded incentives for attendance and improvement and culminating in local running events: i.e. Albuquerque “Unser” Half Marathon – April 19, 2008 (Johnny Lightening Kids K and RunFit Run 2-Miler) & RunFit Run 5K, 2-Mile and Kids K – May 18, 2008. RunFit, while intended to be physically challenging, is designed for children of all fitness and athletic levels. It uses the structure and popularity of the team to help kids reach their full human potential, not just their athletic potential.
“Running and walking are two of the very best forms of aerobic exercise – simple, inexpensive, and powerfully effective,” said Running USA Executive Director Basil Honikman. “We’re delighted to be able to connect Running USA events and members to afterschool programs around the nation to help every young American embrace running and fitness as a lifetime habit.”
While RunFit is designed for elementary aged children, parents are encouraged to participate in the weekly training.
The program addresses a growing epidemic of youth obesity, due in great measure to sedentary lifestyles and poor nutrition. According to one study, less than ten percent of elementary, junior, middle and high schools provide daily physical education for students, and less than half of all schools offer intramural activities or physical activity clubs for students. Just over 15 percent of U.S. children between the ages of six and 10 are overweight, and another 15 percent are at risk of becoming so. The health toll on these children over the course of their lifetimes could be profound. Approximately 300,000 deaths a year are attributed to unhealthy dietary habits and sedentary behavior. Physical inactivity – a habit often established during youth – is associated with increases in high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.
Running helps lower blood pressure, maximize lung potential, strengthen the heart and cardiovascular capacity, and burns an average of 100 calories per mile.
RunFit is gearing up for the spring 2008 in schools throughout Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. Schools that are interested in participating may contact Stephen Pino at: 856-9377 or email: stephenpino@hotmail.com
Training Programs and Clinics
We will provide you with everything you need to get smart about running…stay smart about running…and maximize the fun and fitness you get from your running. Our training programs and clinics truly offer something for every runner.
Comprehensive Training Programs
We can show you the safe, fun way to get started running and how to prepare for races at the most popular distances. We can also introduce new twists to your running to improve your speed, conditioning, and running efficiency. Our current programs include:
Informative Clinics
Every month, you can learn about a specialty running or fitness topic. These casual settings include a presentation by various experts along with handouts and Q&A sessions. Safety Tips, Core Strength, Nutrition, Mental Skills, Trail Running and Ultra Running are just a few examples of new areas of running you’ll be able to explore.
Fun Runs
Group runs are a great way to keep your training on track and a terrific way to make new friends. Fun runs are held by RunFit at Athlete’s Edge …all over Albuquerque…all year ‘round. Just show up, pick a partner, pick a pace and distance you feel like running, and have a good time.
RunFit for Youth – Fun and Fitness After school
RunFit and Athlete’s Edge team up to fight childhood obesity and offer quality running programs for our children.
RunFit will provide fun, incentive-based running and walking activities for afterschool youth across the community.
The initial pilot effort will begin this Spring.
Run with RunFit for fun and fitness!
For more details, please contact us:
Athlete’s Edge