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Program Info

RunFit Kidz is a PTA/PTO sponsored 7-8 week before or after school running and fitness program for students in grades 2-6 (1st by approval.) This program is also available to the Home School Community for students ages 7-15.

RunFit Kidz is designed to teach kids of all fitness levels about proper running mechanics, nutrition/hydration, pacing and goal setting. The class will include dynamic warm-ups, strengthening and speed drills, running form guidance, stretching, and plenty of games.

Our goal is for participants at all levels to run better, faster, and smarter and to end the program with increased running knowledge and an enhanced love for being active. The program concludes with a 5k run/walk that is held locally.

PROGRAM LAYOUT: 

  • RunFit Kidz is a coed program designed for students in grades 2-6 (grades may vary by school – check your desired school for specifics.)
  • There is little to no emphasis on competition. The focus is to introduce and engender a passion for running and fitness.
  • Each week there will be new activities that relate to a daily topic, nutrition tip of the day, and preparing for the endurance run at the end of program 5K run. 
  • The 7 or 8-week program will kick off in mid to late September and conclude before Thanksgiving break for fall and starts late March and concludes before Memorial Day for the spring session.
  • The group will meet once per week for one hour and 15 minutes on the same day of each week.
  • RunFit Kidz will take place at your school; on the school grounds.  During inclement weather days (thunder/lightening) – note: kids will run in the rain – the kids will work indoors in a location to be determined by a school representative.  Home School groups will meet at a designated park location.

COMPOSITION OF EACH SESSION: 

  • Warm-up
  • Dynamic stretching
  • Running games
  • General strength drills
  • Endurance run
  • Cool down
  • Nutrition tip of the day

Intensity and number of repetitions may increase each week as participants develop new skills and endurance.

INSTRUCTORS:

  • Our instructors are certified running coaches who have been trained for this specific program. All are highly qualified to instruct emerging runners. See “Meet the Coaches” for more information on each coach.

WHEN ARE RUNFIT KIDZ PROGRAMS OFFERED?

  • The 7 or 8-week program will kick off in mid to late September and conclude before Thanksgiving break for fall and starts late March and concludes before Memorial Day for the spring session.
  • The group will meet once per week for one hour and 15 minutes on the same day of each week.
  • RunFit Kidz will take place at your school, on the school grounds. The group will run in the rain! During severe inclement weather days (thunder/lightening) the group will move indoors in a location to be determined by a school representative. Home School groups will meet at a designated park location.

MIN # / MAX# OF ATTENDEES:

  • The minimum number of students required to hold the program is 15
  • The maximum number of students for each program is typically 30, although we prefer slightly smaller groups. There are certain exceptions, and in cases of high demand we will work to add a session if possible.

SCHOOL LIAISON & PERSONNEL:

  • RFK is typically offered through the PTA/PTO or with the support of the school principal.
  • The RunFit Kidz instructor will coordinate with a PTA / PTO liaison.
  • The PTA / PTO liaison will coordinate with school personnel as necessary to secure field space and inclement weather indoor space.
  • RFK requires 1-2 adult volunteers per 20 kids each week and the volunteer may sign up for any week they choose. Coaches handle volunteer scheduling unless the PTA wants to handle that task.
  • Home School groups are organized differently but RFK still needs volunteer assistance.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

  • Unless otherwise arranged all equipment used during the session will be provided by the instructor. This may include agility ladders, cones, mini-hurdles, resistance bands, and jump ropes.
  • Each student must have appropriate shoes for running. =PR= Run & Walk will host Gear Up Events in the weeks prior to the program to provide expert fitting and discounts for participants.
  • Each student must be properly dressed and ready to run, stretch, and exercise.
  • Each student is asked to bring their own water bottle to each session.

WHAT IS REQUIRED FROM THE SCHOOL?

  • Promotion/Distribution of RunFit Kidz information through your school’s lines of communication – i.e. newsletters, email blasts, take home flyers etc.
  • Location in the school for inclement weather days and the first session of RunFit Kidz. Note: We run in the rain. A back-up space is required for emergency purposes like severe inclement weather. RFK leadership will coordinate with PTA/school liaison to identify the appropriate type of indoor space.*
  • A designated location on the field for RunFit Kidz which will need to include enough running space for students – especially if we have 2 sessions running simultaneously.