Running Series Gets Kids Off the Couch

Kids ages 2 to 14 will get the chance to compete in a medley of weekly races starting in late September.

Healthy Kids Running Series aims to prevent childhood obesity by encouraging kids to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle. The series is five weeks long, from Sept. 21 to Oct. 19.

The races go off from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at Andover Village Improvement Society- West Parish Meadow. Check out the course map.

The series takes place in 20 states across the country, and is held during the Fall and Spring seasons.

Read Patch’s story on the Healthy Kids Running Series of Spring 2014.

At the end of the series, the boy and girl with the most points in his or her age division wins a trophy. All participants receive a medal and a gift bag no matter their place or time.

Races consist of a Pre-Kindergarten 50 yard dash, a kindergarten and first grade quarter-mile run, a second and third grade half-mile run, a fourth and fifth one-mile run, and a middle school one-mile run.

Sign up here. Registration is $35.

There will be a pre-race bib pickup at Greater Boston Running Company, 45 Main St., on Saturday, Sept. 13. Day-of registrations are also welcome each week.

Photo credit: Healthy Kids Running Series Facebook page.