ING Run For Something Better in Miami
Program Overview: The IRFSB program is a 15 week program within the Miami-Dade County Public schools during their PE classes. Each participant runs 25 miles leading up to a full marathon distance throughout the program. The children keep training logs and are provided evaluation from their coaches.
The IRFSB culminating event is held during the ING Miami Marathon in January. The IRFSB participants run their final 1.2 miles to complete their full marathon in the running program. Transportation, lunches, t-shirts, finisher medals, and entertainment are provided to the participants at the event.
Beneficiaries: The Fit Nation Foundation implements the IRFSB program in the Miami-Dade County Public School System. The program currently targets middle school students in the Miami Dade County middle schools.
- ING Miami Marathon & Half Marathon -IRFSB Final Mile event – January 31, 2010
Statistics:
- Over 5,000 kids participated in the final mile of the 2010 ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon.
- Over 4,000 kids participated in the final mile during the 2009.
- In 2008, over 3,300 participated in the culminating event.
- Over 1,800 participated in 2007.
- Over 1,300 particpated in 2006
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Essay Contest: Congratulations to the essay winners in the Miami program; Kasey Gonzalez from South Dade Middle School, Christian Rivera from Palm Springs Middle School and Miriam Rose Singer from Palmetto Middle School. Read what they had to say about participating in the ING Run For Something Better program: "Running makes me feel invincible, like nothing can stop me. When I run, I feel like a bird that can fly. Running is the closet thing to flying; it's all we've got. When the wind is in your face, your heels clap down on the hard cement and you know that no one can stop you- that is the best feeling in the world. Running brings a sense of strength into my body that feels like after I have run, I can do anything." - Kasey Gonzalez "What I will do to stay fit after completing this marathon, doing a lot of sports of course. The ING gave me the wings (in this case, the legs) and I begin to fly (run), I do all kinds of sports including the ones that I am bad at, but I keep doing it, cross country, track and field, soccer, etc. Name it, I play it! Thanks to ING" - Christian Rivera "The ING Run For Something Better race is so much more than just a race. It shows kids and teens that although they are tired, and want to quit, if they persevere and maintain a positive attitude - they can reach their goal. Whether their goal is crossing the finish line or fighting for survival, it can be a life changing and attitude changing experience. If your run a little faster, try a little harder, take a few more steps, you will have crossed the finish line in no time." - Miriam Rose
