Kids Run RVA Helps Grow Love of Running

“Hey! Don’t start running without me!”

This quote, overheard before the start of the Shady Hill Striders run club in Chesterfield’s Shady Hill mobile home park, sums up the feelings of the hundreds of kids who participate in Kids Run RVA programs in their schools, community centers and neighborhoods all over the Richmond region: they love participating in the physical activity programs and can’t wait to get moving when it’s time for the sessions.

Most of the Kids Run RVA programs helped prepare kids for the Call Federal Marathon, Jr. on October 25th. That event, a part of the Anthem Richmond Marathon, is a great celebration of fun and fitness, and is just one element of the bigger goal of Kids Run RVA: promoting physical activity to youth across the Richmond region and encouraging more kids to get moving more often. Between all of its programs and events, Kids Run RVA instills healthy habits that continue to flourish into adolescence and adulthood.

Kids Run RVA currently coordinates run clubs in 28 area elementary schools, middle schools, community centers, and neighborhoods, such as the Shady Hill Striders. Meeting in the morning or afternoon several times a week, the run clubs help instill a passion for physical activity and an active lifestyle and can also have positive impacts on behavior and academic performance while helping to reverse the growing trend of childhood obesity.

“It’s really important to create more opportunities for physical activity for youth in the Richmond area, and that’s what Kids Run RVA is working to do,” said Dorothy Jaeckle, a member of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors. “It has positive benefits for health and development throughout people’s lives, and is good for kids, families, and communities.”

In addition to the weekly running clubs, annual events like the Call Federal Marathon, Jr. provide young Richmonders goals to work toward and celebrations worthy of all their effort and enthusiasm. Special training programs are also designed specifically for kids, with their health and energy in mind, and the Kids Run RVA grant programs help to get new schools and more kids running by providing funding for everything from new sneakers to discounted event entries.

With over 1,000 participants in this year’s Call Federal Marathon, Jr., and over 12,000 school-aged youth participating in various programs throughout the year, it’s clear that the Marathon, Jr. and Kids Run RVA initiatives are transforming lives of kids – and the neighborhoods they live in – all over Richmond and helping make RVA one of the most physically active regions in the country. And, of course, the kids are having a lot of fun along the way.

“I like running distances and building up my speed to keep going and going!” said Elijah Hardin, 11, a Shady Hill Strider. Jermain Smith, 12, a fellow Shady Hill Strider, shared those feelings. “I love running with my friends – it gets me out of the house and keeps me active!”