Healthy Kids Running Series Slated To Begin In Late April

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Healthy Kids Running Series is set for a monthlong series of weekend events in Tuscaloosa geared toward promoting active lifestyles for local youth.

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Organizer Doris Vaughans spoke before the Tuscaloosa County Commission Wednesday in the hopes of promoting the event, which is made possible by the Healthy Kids Running Series national nonprofit.

Founded in 2009, the Healthy Kids Running Series was created by Jeff Long — founder and president of Pattison Sports Group — to motivate young people to lead a healthy and active lifestyle through a "positive introduction to the world of running."

"You see the need now for children to be more active because of the way society is, so they developed these running opportunities," Vaughans told Patch on Wednesday.

The event will kick off on April 24 at Valley View Baptist Church on Highway 69 S. It will be broken up into six divisions for ages ranging from 2 years old to eighth grade.

The cost will be $10 per race or $40 for the entire series. All runners in the fifth week of the event will receive a medal and those participating in the full series will receive a T-Shirt.

Runners with the most points — based on their finishes — will receive trophies.

"For people who can't pay, there is financial assistance available," Vaughans said. "So everybody can come ... No one is turned down if they have an inability to pay."

Vaughans then said there are sponsorships available for local businesses.

"We have multiple layers of sponsorship," she said. "From trade partnerships if you want to donate Powerades to money. Your names and organizations will be on the bibs and posters, so there are a lot of benefits. They range from $50 to $250."

Dates for events, which begin at 2 p.m. each day

• April 24
• May 1
• May 8
• May 15
• May 22

For more information, call (334) 201-9146 or email tuscaloosaal@healthykidsrs.org.

Click here to register online today.

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