Area students are participating in a program called “Run for Fun” to get fit with their parents, through the support of the Fox Chapel Area School District.

The district has implemented the eight-week “Run for Fun” program to promote health and wellness at O’Hara, Fairview, Kerr, and Hartwood elementary schools. Participating students meet once a week after school with volunteer parent coaches. The final goal of the training is to compete in the 20th Anniversary of St. Margaret Foundation Fitness Classic 5K Run/Walk scheduled for May 18, 2008.

The program has grown to include nearly 200 school-aged children, in Kindergarten-5.

Training for the students consists of running games for grades K-2 and light intervals of running for grades 2-5. The sessions include a light/healthy snack, bottled water, stretching, and running. Kids find it fun to participate with their friends and parents are encouraged to run with the kids during the training runs.

Students and parents participate in the program free of charge, thanks to the generosity of program sponsors St. Margaret Foundation, Babb Inc., Centers for Rehabilitation Services and Highmark. The school with the most registrants for the race will receive a $500 grant from St. Margaret Foundation to help promote other programs that support health and wellness in the school.

“Run for Fun has been proven to be very rewarding for kids, and their sense of accomplishment on race day is overwhelming,” said Program Coordinator Shelby Livingston. “It’s one of the reasons we have extended the program to include more schools.”

The St. Margaret Foundation Fitness Classic 5K Run/Walk is held at UPMC St. Margaret and features the 2nd flattest course in Pittsburgh. Each child will receive a medal for his or her participation in the training and for completing the event.

Run for Fun is seeking a “team captain” who will inspire and lead the kids on race day. A local celebrity involved in athletics or someone who will serve as a positive role model would meet the kids before the race for warm-ups and run/walk the race with them.

For more information on the Run for Fun, contact Patrice Matamoros at (412) 848-6052 or Shelby Livingston at (412) 781-2008.