The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
OFF TO THE RACES ....
Healthy Kids Running Series promotes fitness, active lifestyles
“I started thinking I was headed towards catastrophe, but it took off like crazy. Everyone is excited.”
— Patrick Ebner, community coordinator in Wickliffe
On your mark ....
Get set ....
Go!
Overcast and chilly most of the day, the timing couldn’t have been better as the sun bore through the clouds at Coulby Park on Ridge Road just as the first of several races kicked off Healthy Kids Running Series.
The April 25 event attracted about 150 youngsters, divided up into different age groups and distance categories, bolting as fast as their little legs could carry them to the finish line all the while joyously encouraged by family members and friends.
Created in 2009 by Jeff Long, founder and president of Pattison Sports Group, based in Thornton, Pennsylvania,
Healthy Kids is a national, community-based nonprofit that aims to “motivate kids to lead a healthy and active lifestyle through a positive introduction to the world of running.”
The program also serves to combat increasing rates of childhood obesity in America.
The inclusive five-week running series, for ages 2-14, is designed for kids to “get active, feel accomplished and lay the foundation for a healthy lifestyle.”
This is the first year Wickliffe has hosted the series, noted Community Coordinator Patrick Ebner prior to the start.
“It’s (held) in 39 states and I really wanted to bring it to Lake County,” the Wickliffe resident said. “I’ve had terrific support from the Mayor (John) Barbish from day one, and the parks and recreation department, so it’s been really easy on that end.
“My understanding was that a couple years back there was a Healthy Kids Running Series in Willoughby, but that one had stopped,” Ebner added. “I didn’t have anything to do with that one. When I applied to become a community coordinator, instead of trying to reboot the Willoughby race, Healthy Kids agreed to let me move it to Wickliffe.”
The organization typically sees about 50 kids during a first-time series, but the level of participation far surpassed expectations, Ebner said, who found out about the series when a childhood friend was running in the Buffalo area.
“He walked me through the process of trying to become a coordinator,” he added. “My wife and I had been talking for a while about wanting to get involved, give back, and do something for our community. We are passionate about getting our own kids outside and active and thought this was the perfect program to spread that to others.
“The reason I love running is because there are no excuses — it’s just you and time and distance. But once you push yourself further than you thought you could go, you have this newfound confidence that carries over into every aspect of your life.”
Last year, Ebner found out the only job he ever had was ending two weeks before Christmas, but discovered a confidence he never had before, in large part, because of running. He later started his own law firm while organizing the race.
With the novel coronavirus forcing the series to be conducted virtually last year, thus affecting participation, Ebner believes families were ready to get out of the house and be a part of it.
“Our pediatrician sent out some pretty stunning statistics about how much screen time has skyrocketed during the pandemic and the negative consequences it has on kids,” he said. “And this was a problem before the pandemic — it’s only worse now.”
With news of the live event coming to the city, many parents contacted Ebner to tell him their kids were practicing for the big day by running laps around their houses. That news put his mind at ease and balanced the anxiety he felt when his two sons were the only kids signed up in the early weeks of registration.
“I started thinking I was headed towards catastrophe, but it took off like crazy,” he said. “Everyone is excited.”
Interested parties who may have missed out on the event need fret not, as Healthy Kids will return in the fall complete with walk-up registration, Ebner added.