Top Youth Program of 2008
The designation of “Youth Running Program of the Year” was given to Youth Run 4 Fun which includes an inner city program called Just Run San Francisco. That part of the program which is supported by the San Francisco Marathon has grown from 300 in 2005 to 2,000 in 2008. Bay area high school athletes are coaches and mentors for the younger runners and in return they earn donations for their local track and field programs.
The San Francisco program is a product of previous award winners New York Road Running Foundation (supported by the ING New York City Marathon) and JUST RUN (funded by the Big Sur Marathon). “The directors of youth running and fitness programs in the U.S. have been very helpful in sharing information and enthusiasm with groups who want to start similar programs. The excellent Youth Run 4 Fun / JUST RUN San Francisco is a product of that cooperative and nurturing spirit”, said Linda Honikman, Running USA Youth Running Coordinator.
According to its director, Patricia Norman, “Youth Run4Fun is the program of the year because it brings together the resources of many highly respected programs, has stayed true to its support of youth running and reaches into the most underserved neighborhoods of San Francisco with the best tool to teach healthy lifestyles… running”.