FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Information Contacts:
Natalie Ghidotti
501-837-0206
natalie@ghidotticommunications.com
Geneva Hampton
501-371-4639
ghampton@littlerock.org
The Great Lace Up
Little Rockers Kids Marathon Kick-off Event to be Held Oct. 31
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - (Oct. 6, 2009) - A registration kick-off event for the
Little Rockers Kids Marathon will be held from 10:00am to noon Oct. 31 on
the lawn of the Clinton Presidential Library. The kick-off event and the
training program are sponsored by Arkansas Children's Hospital and Today's
THV.
The 6th Little Rockers Kids Marathon Final Mile will begin at noon on
Saturday, March 6, 2010, in the River Market District. Little Rockers is
held in conjunction with the Little Rock Marathon, set for Sunday, March 7,
2010. The Little Rock Marathon and companion races are a project of and
benefit Little Rock Parks & Recreation.
The Oct. 31 Little Rockers kick-off event will include free healthy snacks,
music and a series of fun Halloween-themed obstacle course activities. Goody
bags will be distributed to the first 600 participants. Kids are encouraged
to pre-register for the kick-off event at www.littlerockmarathon.com.
"This is going to be a fun time for kids and their parents to come out and
learn more about the Little Rockers and how they can start training for the
big day in March," said Geneva Hampton, executive director of the Little
Rock Marathon. "We want to motivate students to commit to a health and
fitness routine now, so they can reap the rewards later."
Craig O'Neill, an anchor with KTHV, Channel 11, will serve as emcee for the
morning, while Scout, the Arkansas Children's Hospital mascot, will help
entertain participants. Both O'Neill and Scout will get things started that
morning with a Monster Mash warm-up.
A series of activities, including broomstick hurdles, a pumpkin relay,
wheelbarrow races, three-legged monster race and Mr. Bones relay race, will
be held. After all five activities are completed, participants will get to
log their first mile of the 26.2-mile marathon training program. Kids ages
7-12 who complete the training program from November-February will have the
opportunity to complete their final mile in front of friends, family and
spectators in March.
The Little Rockers Kids Marathon Training Program, presented by the Arkansas
Department of Health, was designed as a way to encourage more children to
participate in ongoing fitness activities. Last year, more than 1,500
children registered for the Final Mile, while more than 4,700 kids
throughout the state participated in the training program.
"We are proud to sponsor such an important fitness program for the kids in
our community," said Dr. Bonnie Taylor, medical director at Arkansas
Children's Hospital. "We hope this kick-off event reminds families that
fitness can be fun in many different ways!"
For more information and to register a child for the Oct. 31 kick-off event,
visit www.littlerockmarathon.com.
About Little Rockers Kids Marathon
The Little Rockers Kids Marathon encourages children ages 7-12 to become
more active by following a fun, simple running and/or walking program. The
goal for each child is to complete at least 25.2 miles before race day.
Then, on race day, children who are properly registered and have reached
their mileage goal will complete their final mile on the official Little
Rock Marathon course in front of family, friends and thousands of
spectators.(A child can participate through an official Little Rockers
program at their school, church or civic organization. Or a child can
participate at home with an adult's help. Information on the 2010 Little
Rockers Marathon and Little Rock Marathon can be found at
www.littlerockmarathon.com.
About Little Rock Parks & Recreation
Little Rock Parks and Recreation (LRPR) oversees 53 parks, four community
centers, the Adult Leisure Center, War Memorial Fitness Center, four
swimming pools, two tennis centers, the River Market, the Riverfest
Amphitheatre, three golf courses and the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas
Military History. The LRPR system includes more than 5,000 acres of
designated parks and open space. In addition, the organization offers a
wide-range of youth and adult recreational and sports leagues, after-school
and summer playground programs for children ages 6-15, outdoor recreation,
therapeutic recreation and programs for seniors. Funds raised will continue
to support parks and recreational programs for all ages. For more
information, visit www.lrpr.org.
About Arkansas Children's Hospital
Arkansas Children's Hospital is the only pediatric medical center in
Arkansas and one of the largest in the United States serving children from
birth to age 21. The campus spans 29 city blocks and houses 316 beds, a
staff of approximately 500 physicians, 80 residents in pediatrics and
pediatric specialties and more than 4,200 employees. The private, nonprofit
healthcare facility boasts an internationally renowned reputation for
medical breakthroughs and intensive treatments, unique surgical procedures
and forward-thinking medical research - all dedicated to fulfilling our
mission of enhancing, sustaining and restoring children's health and
development. ACH has ranked twice on FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work
ForR, most recently at No. 85. For more information, visit
www.archildrens.org.
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