Find Out What We've Been Up To

ING KiDS ROCK New Orleans

Fight Against Childhood Obesity Takes Center Stage at ING KiDS ROCK

  • ING Run For Something Better promotes kids fitness, fights childhood obesity
  • Nearly 1,000 local kids to participate in fun run on Saturday, March 3
  • Olympian Rod Dixon to encourage, motivate children on race day

New Orleans, LA – February 6, 2012 – Raising healthy kids is a constant challenge, one that requires much more than an easy fix. Each year, hundreds of New Orleans children take an important step toward a healthy future by stepping to the start line of their very own marathon and learning that physical fitness can be a fun part of their day.

On Saturday, March 3, children in grades K-7 will take part in ING KiDS ROCK New Orleans, a one-mile, non-timed, non-competitive, fun run to combat childhood obesity. The event begins at 9:00 am in City Park.

As participants in the ING KiDS ROCK program, young athletes become marathon finishers by completing 25.2 miles of a 26.2 mile marathon at their own pace with guidance from parents or teachers, using the Official ING Run For Something Better Training Guide. The training program also includes tips to help kids start and maintain an overall healthy and active lifestyle.

Children can run their miles anywhere or whenever they want, such as at home, during recess at school, or soccer practice. They keep track of their mileage based on the honor system with supervision from a parent, teacher or facilitator. The final mile will be completed on race day and finishers will receive a medal and goodies to commemorate the accomplishment.

ING KiDS ROCK is supported by ING Run For Something Better®, ING’s charity that champions running and fitness programs in schools across the country.

“As the official charity of ING KiDS ROCK, the ING Run For Something Better program is helping to get kids on the road to adopting healthier lifestyles as a way to combat childhood obesity,” said Rhonda Mims, president of the ING Foundation and senior vice president, ING’s Office of Corporate Responsibility. “ING KiDS ROCK is a fun way for kids to achieve a sense of accomplishment for their discipline leading up to the event, and we hope they continue running for years to come.”

Coming out to cheer on the participants will be kids fitness advocate Rod Dixon, an Olympic medalist and winner of the 1983 New York City Marathon.

“A love of physical fitness starts early and truly sets kids up for success in life on many levels,” said Dixon. “Running isn’t about punishment – it should be about having fun, getting outside and learning that being healthy feels great. At ING KiDS ROCK, we encourage an environment where kids cross the finish line with a smile on their faces and everyone is a winner.”

For more information, please visit INGKiDSROCK.com. ING KiDS ROCK New Orleans takes place in conjunction with the 3rd annual Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Marathon & 1/2 Marathon benefiting the American Cancer Society, which takes place Sunday, March 4.

ING KiDS ROCK aligns with First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” initiative, and the program is teaming up with The President’s Challenge to reach as many kids as possible across the nation. The President’s Challenge promotes physical activity that is fun and that you can do on your own, with friends or with family members. Participants in ING KiDS ROCK can earn awards for staying active and track progress along with other kids across the country.

About ING Run For Something Better
About ING KiDS ROCK New Orleans

ING KiDS ROCK New Orleans is a cumulative marathon program capped by a non-competitive, non-timed one-mile fun run for kids grades K-7. As participants in the ING KiDS ROCK program, young athletes become marathon finishers by completing 25.2 miles of a marathon at their own pace with guidance from parents or teachers. T he event plans to motivate children to live a healthy lifestyle. They can learn early on that running can be fun and goals can be attainable. On Saturday, March 3, all participants will meet to run one mile together. Each participant will run or walk one mile, cross the finish line and receive a finisher’s medal and goodies to commemorate the accomplishment. More information is available at: INGKiDSROCK.com

###