The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Kids running series coming to Wickliffe
The Healthy Kids Running Series will be coming to Wickliffe this spring.
With a goal of teaching kids the importance of leading fit and active lifestyles, the national nonprofit, which started in Philadelphia in 2009, runs kids races in 39 states.
“My wife and I wanted to get involved with it. We have three kids,” said community coordinator Patrick Ebner. “With everybody attached to their screens, especially kids, it’s something we’re pretty passionate about.”
This is the first year Ebner and his family have participated in the nonprofit.
“Last year during the pandemic, I started running a lot, and I just found the mental and physical benefits that it gave me, especially with my confidence,” Ebner said. “I had been at the same job for 15 years and two weeks before Christmas, my bosses told me they were dissolving the firm and that I better go find another job.
“So, we’ve been talking about wanting to do something like this,” he added. “But I had the confidence then that I don’t think I ever would have had, if it wasn’t for running, to start my own business. I saw the mental and physical difference running could make for me, and just wanting to get kids involved in it and bring the community together seemed like a really good match.”
Currently 73 kids are registered for the first race, which is to take place April 25 at Coulby Park, Ebner said. Last year, nearly 70,000 kids ran in the running series — five races for kids ages 2 through 14 that will take place on five different Sundays. Other races are set for May 2, 9, 16 and 23.
“My friend, who I grew up with, lives in Buffalo and he did this in Buffalo. That’s how I found out about it,” Ebner said. “Kids are not only staring at screens for fun, but staring at screens for school. My wife and I really value the importance of getting our kids outside and exercising.”