A Fun Run to Fight Childhood Obesity

A nationwide program aimed at combatting childhood obesity by getting kids runnings will host a five-week event in Rockville Centre starting next month.

The Healthy Kids Running Series will be appearing in Rockville Centre for the first time since it was established in 2009. Children in pre-k through eighth grade are invited to participate in the five-week running series at South Side Middle School starting Sept. 15 and ending Oct. 13.

“The Healthy Kids Running Series is a wonderful opportunity for children of all ages to find the joy in running no matter the distance,” said Jeff Long, the founder of Healthy Kids Running Series. “This program is designed as a fun and positive introduction into a lifelong sport that promotes a healthy lifestyle through running, jogging and walking. It’s a lot of fun for us to see new HKRS programs taking shape throughout the region.”

The Healthy Kids Running Series, a non-profit based in West Chester, Pa., has hosted events for more than 1,700 participants.

To register your children for the Healthy Kids Running Series or to sponsor HKRS, visit their website at www.HealthyKidsRunningSeries.com.

Registered participants in every town will receive a Healthy Kids Running Series T-Shirt and sponsor gift bag. Top runners are awarded trophies, and every participant receives a medal at the completion of the series.

“Because our program is designed as a local, community program, it’s exciting to see the smiles and fun that our participants have in the towns that we run personally,” said Scott Ely, director of Healthy Kids Running Series. “At the same time, it’s extremely rewarding to know these same experiences are being brought to local communities across the country.”