Kids' Running Events
Helping children achieve fitness is easier than you think. Maybe your school already qualifies for a grant…
Offering children a healthy start to life fosters their desire to exercise before obesity ever begins. So we're making it simple for public school to qualify for running program grants.
Already have a running program?
That's great. You can enhance your school's existing program with materials and educational components that focus on running, kids' fitness, nutrition and goal setting. Schools can even include local area history and geography in their fitness program as another way to motivate children. With ING Run For Something Better, schools also get to cap off the running program experience for kids with a final culminating running event. It could be an in-school race or a community-wide event where friends and neighbors can watch and cheer for the student athletes – it's up to each school! Check out Get Your School Involved to find out more and to get started with the easy application process.
Fitness fun for all
Part of what makes ING Run For Something Better so effective is the fact that it reaches out to all kids, including those who don't normally take part in sports or other physical activity programs. Kids of all fitness levels are telling us how much the program has inspired them to achieve:
"I can't believe I really finished the 5K. That was insane." - Student, Gorham Middle School, Gorham, ME
"Sometimes the training was difficult, but it was worth it because I've noticed that I have a good pace finally and I have tons of endurance. I used to have no endurance." - Student, Gettys Middle School, Easley, SC
"It has helped so many students and it has given them such pride. This is a great opportunity! - Marsha Mullen, Running Program Coach, Forest Ridge Elementary, Citrus, FL
"My coach trained me real, real well."- Student, Webb Elementary, Arlington, TX
"All I want to do this for is my mom and grandma"- Student, Webbe Elementary, Arlington TX
Get your grant
Many schools already meet the ING RFSB criteria and don't even know it. Maybe yours does, too. Go to the Get Your School Involved page to find out how students at your school can get in on the action, fight childhood obesity and pick up a lifelong healthy habit.
ING-sponsored race days
As the corporate sponsor for ING Run For Something Better, ING sponsors race day culminating events in association with ING-sponsored marathons. For the kids, these events feature a "final mile run," medals, t-shirts, celebrity appearances and, of course, orange laces! Culminating running events are the highlight of the youth running program in many children's lives. They've practiced hard, working each week to run farther. Then they get to finish off their running commitment, knowing they've reached their goals. Knowing what it is to succeed. For some kids, it's an accomplishment they never thought they could make. You're welcome to come out to race day culminating running events that are associated with ING-sponsored marathons to cheer the children on or try your hand as a volunteer. It's yet another way to show your support for fighting obesity in children. See our FAQs page for more information about volunteer opportunities.
Race Day Events and Dates
Find Out When The Kids Get To Race Day
ING Miami Marathon & Half Marathon
IRFSB Final Mile event- January 31, 2010
ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon
IRFSB Final Mile event- March 21, 2010
ING Trestle Valley Marathon (Minot, ND)
IRFSB Final Mile event- April 2010
ING Bay to Breakers 12K
IRFSB Final 4K event- May 14, 2010
ING Rock n' Roll Half Marathon
IRFSB Final Mile event- September 17, 2010
Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon
IRFSB participates in final event -October 2, 2010
ING Hartford Marathon & Half Marathon
IRFSB Final Mile event- October 8, 2010
Rock n' Roll Denver Marathon
IRFSB participates in final event- October 16, 2010
ING New York City Marathon
IRFSB participates in final event- November 4, 2010
IRFSB sponsors City Parks Foundation event - August, 2010
