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Chester County Press

Healthy Kids Running Series announces fall schedule

08/15/2013 11:02AM ● By Acl

The Healthy Kids Running Series (HKRS), a non-profit group focusing on the benefits of running for improving the health and stamina of young people, is adding several towns to its expanding network.

Returning Pennsylvania locations include Audubon/Oaks, Concord Township, Hershey, Mechanicsburg, Media, Springfield, State College, Wayne, West Chester and West Grove. Events will begin the second weekend in September. Visit www.HealthyKidsRunningSeries.com for dates, times and locations.

“We continue to be amazed by the response and feedback we’ve received season-to-season,” said Scott Ely, director of Healthy Kids Running Series. “Because our program is designed as a local, community program, it’s exciting to see the smiles and fun that our participants have in the towns that we run personally. At the same time, it’s extremely rewarding to know these same experiences are being brought to local communities across the country. As a staff it’s an exciting time to watch HKRS develop nationally.”

Jeff Long, the founder of Healthy Kids Running Series, said, “The series is a wonderful opportunity for children of all ages to find the joy in running, no matter the distance. This program is designed as a fun and positive introduction into a lifelong sport that promotes a healthy lifestyle through running, jogging and walking. It’s a lot of fun for us to see new HKRS programs taking shape throughout the region.”

Children from pre-K to eighth grade are invited to participate in the five-week running series. Races take place on weekends.

Registered participants in every town will receive a Healthy Kids Running Series T-Shirt and sponsor gift bag. Points are accumulated at each race based each runner’s finish position. Trophies are awarded based on total accumulated points to the top boy and girl in each age group following the final race of each series. Every participant receives a medal at the completion of the series.

The Healthy Kids Running Series was founded in 2009 to combat increasing rates of childhood obesity through the introduction of running. The program began in West Chester, Pa., but now operates in more than 20 communities across the country.