Lacing up for a good cause
Kids’ Run Club big success in advance of Doctors Nova Scotia Youth Run this weekend
Students at Shipyard Elementary are taking part in the Kids’ Run Club in advance of this weekend’s Doctors Nova Scotia Youth Run in Sydney.
Under the guidance of physical education teacher John Borden, the kids are getting a chance to stretch their legs and spend some time running during their morning recess.
The program is held twice a week at the school and sees kids running around the school outside. The young students are enjoying their time running as they all stepped up to start their morning run.
“I love it so much,” said Lucas Wilcox, 9, a Grade 4 student taking a break from his run. “You get to run and see the sunshine.
“Everyone should do it because you get a lot of exercise.”
A number of teachers implemented the program during class time and recess; participation numbers across the province are expected to reach a record high of more than 18,000 children and youth getting active through running.
All grade levels have opportunities to participate with the majority being elementary schools.
“Running is great for every body system,” said Borden, after coming in from the recess run. “I think this is something that that kids really need to stay healthy. It’s one of the best medicines.”
The Kids’ Run Club has been offered provincewide by Doctors Nova Scotia. This is the first medical association in Canada to offer a free running program to address inactivity in children and youth. The program is designed to be fun, accessible to all and to teach participants about the importance of healthy living.
“The goal is to have the kids participate in the youth run at Cape Breton Fiddlers Run,” said Bernadette Maclellan, the Cape Breton representative of Kids’ Run Club.
“We want them to have that feeling of being in a big race. Hopefully they’ll continue on
running after they finish the program.”
The Doctors Nova Scotia Youth Run begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Late online registration will remain open until noontime today by accessing www.capebretonfiddlersrun.com.
There is an option to register at the YMCA Membertou branch on Friday from 5-7 p.m. Parents can also register their children on the day of the race between 8-9 a.m.
The run starts at the Big Fiddle, proceeding down the Esplanade to Ortona Street, east on Ortona St. to George St., south on George St. to Dorchester St., west on Dorchester St. to the Esplanade and back to the Finish at the Big Fiddle. Junior high students do 2 laps of the route. There is one water stop on Dorchester Street between George and Charlotte St. There is also water available at the finish line.