Kaiser Permanente’s Running of the Elk will help thousands of children play youth sports in Elk Grove

Playing sports is a huge part of Ian Martin’s life.

Without sports, he said “I would feel bad because I wouldn’t be able to play with my friends… and I wouldn’t be able to go outside and play around. “

Ian is playing little league right now.

Having his sons play in sports was also important to Ian’s dad, Mel Martin, who has spent more than 25 years as a professional strength and conditioning coach.

“It’s the balance of it all. I am encouraging them to play sports throughout high school if they can,” said Martin. “It doesn’t have to be baseball. It can be anything so that they have a balance physically and academically.”

The Martin family experienced some financial difficulties several years ago.

“I didn’t know how I was going to take care of the league fees and sports fees for our sons. The thought of disrupting that part of their life was really heartbreaking,” said Martin.

Martin found out about scholarships through the Elk Grove Youth Sports Foundation. He applied online and his sons were granted money to pay all the fees so that they could continue playing the sports they enjoyed.

To show his appreciation, Martin decided to give back, volunteering his time as a coach for Laguna Youth Sports.

He says young people have so much to gain from being involved in athletics.

“There are a lot of intangibles that go with it, there is the ability to work as a teammate, the ability to be encouraging to other people when you are going for the same cause, the ability to be leaders, to be compassionate and respectful of your opponents, to understand how to play properly.”

There are also well-documented health benefits.

"Obesity is an epidemic among young people. Helping the children of our community to be physically active every day, through an activity like a youth sport, can help to set them on a course of healthy weight and behavior for the rest of their lives," said Dr. Lisa Liu, the Physician-in-Charge for Kaiser Permanente Elk Grove Medical Offices.

Those involved with the Elk Grove Youth Sports Foundation agree.

 “Youth sports gets kids out of the house, be with friends, make new friends and be able to do something besides sitting at home playing video games,” said Dhaval Shah, a board member for the sports foundation.

Elk Grove Youth Sports Foundation has the opportunity to raise money and help even more kids in the community take part in youth sports thanks to the inaugural Kaiser Permanente “Running of the Elk.”

Kaiser Permanente is a title sponsor of the event. The race fits the mission of Live Well, Be Well, Thrive.

While there won’t be any elk present, there will be more than 1,600 people walking and running in the half marathon event, the two-person relay or the Thrive 5K.

“The Running of the Elk” provides a flat and fast course and will wind walkers and runners through the Laguna Ridge community in Elk Grove. The race begins and ends at the Elk Grove Auto Mall.

“Every dime raised from this inaugural run goes directly to kids to play sports whom otherwise couldn't afford it. We believe every child deserves the right to play sports," said Elk Grove City Councilmember Gary Davis, who is president of the Elk Grove Youth Sports Foundation. Davis says one way this run is unique is that there are loads of food and beverages provided for free - including coffee. He is grateful for the generosity of the sponsors, like Kaiser Permanente.

Elk Grove Youth Sports Foundation has board members from the community who help to guide the organization toward its goal of making sure all kids who want to play youth sports get that opportunity. Sports can include baseball, basketball, football, La Crosse, soccer and cheerleading.

“Our mission has been from the get-go three years ago was to put every child in Elk Grove who cannot afford to play a sport into a sport. We believe that no child should know a parent’s financial situation,” said board member Teresa Rodriguez.

She says parents can apply online to get assistance and the foundation takes it from there.

The foundation can’t help families without fundraisers, like the “Running of the Elk” and its sponsors.

“We couldn’t do this without our sponsors and of course Kaiser Permanente being our signature sponsor. We went to them. They joined on, not a little bit, but 100% percent.”

Other sponsors include the Elk Grove Automall, the City of Elk Grove, The Running Zone and the Elk Grove Patch.

Running of the Elk event details:

Sunday, April 1, 2012
Elk Grove Auto Mall
8590 Laguna Grove Drive Elk Grove, CA
7:30 a.m. - Half Marathon and Relay
7:50 a.m. - Thrive 5K
Registration is $25-$60

www.runningoftheelkhalf.com