ING Run for Something Better

ING Miami Marathon gives kids chance to run ... and to write

January 22, 2009

Wisdom from children

An essay contest as part of this year's ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon and the ING Run For Something Better (RFSB) program - this Sunday, Jan. 25, - produced some insightful perspectives on the benefits of running in the eyes of children.

"Running brings a sense of strength into my body," Kasey Gonzelez, a seventh grader in South Dade Middle School, wrote in his winning essay. "It feels like after I have run I can do anything."

Miriam Rose Singer, a seventh grader in Palmetto Middle School in Miami, wrote, "The ING Run For Something Better race is so much more than just a race. It shows kids and teens that if they persevere and maintain a positive attitude - even when they're tired and want to quit - 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."

The essay contest is to help promote the ING Miami Marathon and the ING RFSB program. Marathon festivities take place this weekend in sunny Miami, while much of the rest of the country is in a deep freeze. This is ING's fifth year sponsoring the event, which brings 15,000 runners from around the country and around the world.

Students from over 30 Miami-Dade County middle schools were invited to participate. From the essay submissions, the top three winners were selected by ING and Fit Miami Foundation staff. Winners Miriam, Kasey and Christian Rivera have been invited to attend a special ING RFSB teacher appreciation luncheon Friday, Jan. 23, where they will be honored for their winning essays.

In his winning essay, eighth-grader Christian Rivera, Palm Springs Middle School, said that running helps him both physically and mentally. "The ING RFSB gave me wings (in this case, legs) and I began to fly," he wrote. He said that he runs not just for himself, but for others who can't.

Foot races instead of food races

Miriam's essay discussed survival because of her little brother, Getachew. Before he was adopted five years ago, Getachew, used to have to win races to secure a bed and enough food in his native country, Ethiopia. Now he's winning foot races instead of food races.

ING joined with the Fit Miami Foundation in challenging students with the essay contest.

"We know that children are learning many positive lessons through our ING Run For Something Better, not only about staying healthy and fit, but also about setting goals and working hard to achieve them," said Rhonda Mims, president, ING Foundation. "Holding an essay contest was a fantastic way to hear more about what the kids in Miami-Dade were getting out of the program - in their very own words."

3,600 children running this Sunday

Last year, more than 11,000 Miami-Dade County middle-school students took part in the ING Run For Something Better program, with 3,300 finishing their final mile on race day. This Sunday, Jan. 25, is the 2009 marathon. ING expects about 3,600 children to run that final mile.

"For the past four years, the ING Run For Something Better has been a terrific complement to our physical education curriculum," said Dr. Jayne Greenberg, executive director of physical education and health literacy for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. "Through this essay contest, we're realizing that many parents and family members help inspire these students to stay fit. That's exciting news, which tells us the program can be a positive influence both in the classroom and at home."

Since the ING RFSB began in Miami four years ago, more than 40,000 children have participated. Young people in RFSB across the country have collectively run more than 1.2 million miles. In Miami alone, the ING RFSB and Orange Laces campaign has contributed more than $500,000 to the running program in Miami-Dade County public middle schools.

As Miriam Rose Singer wrote in her winning essay, "Life is full of marathons ... Life is full of obstacles and side paths can that often distract you but if you set your mind to it, you can always reach your goal." Sounds a little like this financial-planning business we're in, doesn't it?