Community Heroes: Kathy Kinane, Move Your Feet Before You Eat! Foundation

OCEANSIDE, CA — The San Diego County Fair is back with a super celebration of heroes on every scale from larger-than-life comic book characters to real-life heroes, right here in San Diego County. The “Heroes, Reunite!” exhibit continues through Monday, July 4 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. While there be sure to check out the Hall of Heroes that features our Southern California neighbors who have overcome monumental obstacles, shown great courage, and protect, nurture and bring joy to people around them.

These 33 real-life Community Heroes are ordinary people who take extraordinary measures to make the world a better place. One of those people is North County's own Kathy Kinane of the Move Your Feet Before You Eat Foundation.

Kathy founded Kinane Events in 1991. The company has staged many notable and fun running events like the hugely popular Oceanside Turkey Trot, a combination run, walk- jog and costume contest on Thanksgiving morning. Kinane Events have attracted over one million participants.

"In 2021, with 9,000 attendees at the Oceanside trot, it was a dream come true to participate in a live 5 Minute interview on Fox National Weather News Thanksgiving Day." said Kathy, "I was able to espouse the beauty of Oceanside as a fabulous place to Move Your Feet Before You Eat on Thanksgiving morning. And encourage all the viewers to move their feet before they eat and to help solve the healthcare crisis one step at a time."

As of 1991, Kinane Events has raised more than $21 million for various charities. In 2007, Kinane and Richard Muccio co-founded the Move Your Feet Before You Eat! Foundation. One of Kathy's personal and professional goals has always been to improve fitness scores and lower obesity rates among all school children. The foundation has granted upwards of $360,000 to schools and non-profit organizations to achieve this goal. In Oceanside, as many as 1,000 students, parents and teachers have participated in the “Miles of Smiles” Running programs at local elementary schools. The emphasis is on running as a group social activity, rather than as a competition where someone 'loses'.

As a senior Kathy is very concerned about senior health, as well. She is very proud that 25% of the O’side Turkey Trot participants are over 50 years of age and 8% are over 65 years of age. Seniors who are not comfortable participating in the 5K or 5mile or need assistance to participate, are encouraged to join the Kid’s 1 Mile. There is usually a huge crowd cheering at the finish. One of the highlights of managing the foundation has been working with the 88 year old Spokeswoman, Anne Garrett, a former Oceanside resident that set the American Half Marathon record for women 80 years and over in 2015 and will be participating in the trot for the 16th year in 2022. The Trot’s oldest participant was 96 years old and received a huge round of applause at the finish.

For more information about the San Diego County Fair, sdfair.com.

For more information about the Move Your Feet Before You Eat®! Foundation, moveyourfeetfoundation.org