See Donation Dollars In Action
Miami kids help break records at ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon!
Published Date: 02/04/2010
It's official ... Miami kids are on the move and were part of the largest kids' race in the country! On Jan. 31, decked out in a sea of ING orange, nearly 5,000 middle-school champions ran a special 1.2-mile course that ended at the official finish line of the ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon, completing their final mile of a 15-week training program, during which they ran a total of 26.2 miles. This completed their marathon they had started as part of ING's Run For Something Better® (IRFSB) program.
But what's their ultimate goal? Greater fitness and better health. And thanks to the ING Run for Something Better program, these kids are well on their way.
ING Run For Something Better provides support to school-based running programs nationally to introduce kids to the benefits of running and physical fitness in an effort to fight childhood obesity.
"This program opened the door to a new world of fitness, goal setting and perseverance," said Dr. Jayne Greenberg, district director of Physical Education and Health Literacy.
Even though he is retiring this year from teaching, Coach Ferguson from Henry S. Filer Middle School said, "I will be back next year to cheer for the students! I have been participating in the program since it started and love what it does for the kids."
Sixth-grader Sabrina from Hialeah Gardens Middle School said, "My favorite part was when we passed the finish and got our medals."
It is lifestyle changes like these that the ING Run For Something Better is sparking nationwide - and your support has helped put you alongside the students every step of the way.
"The ING Run For Something Better exposes young people to fitness in a way many of them never have experienced," said Rhonda Mims, president, ING Foundation, and head of ING Office of Corporate Responsibility and Multicultural Affairs, who cheered on the kids at the finish line and completed her own half marathon. "We hope it puts many on the right track toward more physical activity and a healthy lifestyle."