When Mill Race Marathon organizers planned the first event, conducted six years ago, they wanted to emphasize fun and fitness — using the running races as a way to promote healthy lifestyles.
What also is notable is organizers made sure to promote physical activity among children, too, with a Kids Fun Run. That activity, always the day before Saturday’s main event, offers distances of 1.24 miles and shorter for varying age groups.
What’s clear is that the idea of fun and fitness with the Fun Run has caught on with children and their parents. The Sept. 21 Fun Run featured more than 1,400 children crossing the finish line, a record. Last year’s Fun Run had 1,235 finishers, the previous record.
In fact, from the inaugural year, 2013, about 550 more children participated in the Fun Run — about a 65 percent increase — from the 857 that competed then. That’s amazing and encouraging.
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It means children are increasingly interested in the running event, and their parents are supportive of the idea — sometimes even running themselves with the youngest children.
What also is exciting is the way elementary schools are involved, encouraging students to participate and help their schools in the process. Schools with the highest participation percentage receive gift certificates to purchase physical activity equipment.
The Fun Run has proven to be a great way for instilling a healthy activity into children’s lifestyles. The free, fun activity provides a path for children to eventually participate in longer Mill Race Marathon events, such as the 5K, and maybe even half marathon and marathon as they get older.
Marathon organizers deserve a pat on the back for including the Fun Run as part of the marathon weekend, and making it an active part of many children’s lives.
