|
|
|
|
|
AMERICA'S KIDS RUN
Celebrating our 23rd year of helping children
America's Kids Run will celebrate its 23rd year as the largest children's running event worldwide through participation on military bases here and abroad. This annual event has grown to include not only Spokane, Washington area children who will run in late April, but also will include kids living on Naval, Air Force, and Army bases around the world.
As part of Armed Forces Day activities in May each year, military dependants here in the United States, in Bahrain, Greece, Puerto Rico, Germany, Japan, Iceland, England, and Italy will participate in America's Kids Run.
The annual Event began in 1986 as Junior Bloomsday, the child's answer to the annual Bloomsday race that so captivates the Inland Northwest in early May each year. Mike, whose own boys were too young for Bloomsday in 1986, noticed that despite their ambitions, most children just couldn't manage the 7.46 mile Bloomsday course. So he decided a Run for children would capture the excitement of the annual Bloomsday run; thus Junior Bloomsday was born - an event for children ages 5 to 13. The younger kids would run ½ mile, with the 7 & 8 year olds running 1 mile, and the older kids running 2 miles. Over the years 120,000 children have earned their own tee shirt by completing the annual spring run.
After 16 years of success, Junior Bloomsday realized a name change was in order to capture the national and international interest it was receiving by Military Bases, thus America's Kids Run reflected its growth beyond Spokane's borders. Erwert explains, "It is time to move forward with a name that truly identifies the wonderful Event Spokane has authored".
In May 2002 the first Summer Fitness Camp for 10-15 year olds was created at the request of Air Force Family Services Agency in San Antonio, Texas. The Program has opportunities to grow with the Navy Fitness Centers throughout the country.
The Run has been recognized nationally in National Geographic World, National Road Runners Management, Runner World, USA Today, and voted Best Children's Run by Runner World May 2003.
|
|
|
