As the warm weather slips away members of the Coalition for a Healthy Community want to see families celebrate at the Summers End Fun Run Saturday, Sept. 28, at Kentwood High.
This year’s race will be the sixth one organized by CHC, explained Pam Kramer, a member of the coalition.
“It was started to benefit the families of our community in encouraging healthy living,” said Kramer, who is also a registered dietitian at MultiCare in Covington. “We didn’t really have a community run that was specific to Covington, and so we were asked about six years ago to take on this run. We had just started CHC and we said, ‘Yes, we will take this on.’ This is perfect for what we’re trying to accomplish in trying to get people more active, battle childhood obesity and get more parents more involved with their children.”
When CHC took it over from a community member who started it in association with Covington Days, Kramer said, it was the perfect opportunity to lay a foundation for a healthy, family-oriented event in a young community then help it grow.
Since the Summers End Fun Run began, the number of participants has nearly doubled, with close to 300 runners and walkers of all ages at the event in 2012.
This year there is a new message, Kramer said, with a focus for parents on the 5-2-1-0 message which means five fruits and vegetables, no more than two screen hours, one hour of physical activity and zero sugary drinks a day.
Another new element of the event this year is the fact that while it is still at Kentwood, Kramer said, participants will get to use the school’s new track. The route is the same as last year. There will be a 2 kilometer junior run, a 5K walk and run as well as a 10K run.
“We did the junior 2K run so we could get people out there, so (kids) could have that experience,” Kramer said. “We have them come down the track with everybody cheering, so, it’s a reward. Kids love it. We give them ribbons and we try to make it really special. What’s cool about that is a lot of times, parents will run with their kids.”
Kramer recalled a little girl persuade her father to run it with her. The dad doubted he could do it, but, then he ran with is daughter and discovered he could do the run. It was a wonderful moment, Kramer said.
There are other parts of the event which are selling points, Kramer said.
“A big part of this run, one of the reason’s we changed it to fall, is we try to give everyone fresh produce at the end,” Kramer said. “We work with local farmers, we have a farmers market stand that everyone can go to and we provide recipes they can use the fresh produce in. Everyone tells us they love it.”
There are also a number of booths with plenty of free items handed out by vendors, there are massages, Starbucks coffee, games and more.
This year the registration fee — it varies depending on age of participant and event — includes a bright yellow event T-shirt.
Kramer said she hopes those who participate this year find a new enjoyment of being active.
“Also, a sense of community spirit, that sense of accomplishment,” she said. “And hopefully a spark, that this is something that they’ll start to do more of if they’re not currently engaged in regular physical activity.”
If you go:
Summers End Fun Run, Saturday, Sept. 28 at Kentwood High.
The 2K Junior Run starts at 8:27 a.m. This portion of the event is free.
5K Run-Walk starts at 9 a.m.
10K Run starts at 9:07 a.m.
Runners under 13 pay $15 and get a cotton T-shirt while participants over 13 pay $25 for the 5K or 10K and will get a technical T-shirt.
Log on to www.cruzinpassport.com to sign up.
