Benefits of Youth Running Programs

1. Effective and inexpensive programs to fight obesity for

* all ages
* all abilities
* all socio-economic groups

2. Kids fitness programs lead to family fitness and ultimately community fitness.

3. The need is great – every family with a child between ages of 5 and 18 and every community that is underserved by PE or after school sport programs can benefit from this type of program.

4. Excellent vehicle for improving community PR

5. Shows that fitness and running can be fun – focuses on participation first before competition

6. Training for goals produces more focused students (prepares kids for life with discipline, goal setting)

7. Participants feel support from mentors/coaches and from their team

8. Participants earn recognition from effort, not talent and gain self esteem and improved attitudes.

9. More kids at an existing event means more spectators, color, excitement, fun.

10. For event organizers, an increase in youth programs and fun runs offers

* More sponsorship opportunities
* More media and PR opportunities
* More future race entrants and running customers