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Getting the kidsup and running

A youth running program a ims t o help f ifth- through e ighth-graders at a Tampa s chool achieve fitness and personal goals.

By ALEXANDRA ZAYAS
Published January 12, 2007

"We are going to run a mile all together, gang. And we're going to finish all together," YMCA trainer Maureen Rinaldo told them. "No finishing in front of Jeremiah."

Eleven-year-old Jeremiah Hobbs led the loop around the field. When he finished, two girls gave him double high-fives. Milne Roden put his hand on Jeremiah's shoulder. "Fastest boy in the class," 10-year-old Milne said. "Don't know about the school - yet."

Maybe after six weeks. The students began their training last week with a goal in mind: run the last mile of the Gasparilla Distance Classic on Feb. 18.

As part of the "NikeGo Kids Running Program," the sixth- through eighth-grade students will meet twice a week and fifth-graders once a week with YMCA staff members for sessions to build their endurance and stamina.

More than 60 percent of children in America are overweight, and a third of those kids are obese. An average American kid sits in front of the TV 5.5 hours every day.

With that in mind, the St. Peter Claver kids also will get lessons on goal-setting, self-motivation and discipline, making healthy and safe choices, and saying no to drugs and alcohol. Before running the last mile of the Gasparilla, the kids will serve water to the runners.

"It's going to give them more discipline," said the school's headmaster, Sister Catherine Bitzer. "And they have a goal, which is really good."

They have several goals, actually.

Tony Williams wants to toughen up to defend himself against his sisters. "They try to jump me for the TV," the 11-year-old said.

Milne, the shortest boy in the class, wants to improve. "I'd always wanted to be a fast runner," he said. "I'm, like, in the middle of everybody."

Maya Cromuel just wants to finish. She has never run a mile before. "If I did it, it'd be great, because I accomplished something," the 11-year-old said.

The idea began on a bus, headed toward the starting line of the New York City marathon. Columbia Restaurant CEO Richard Gonzmart told his daughter Andrea, "Wouldn't it be great if we could get a youth running program in Tampa?"

Two years and several sponsors later Nike, the Mendez Foundation, Kellogg's, Publix and the Gonzmart Family Foundation, the program will serve the oldest kids at St. Peter Claver. The 112-year-old school just east of downtown is the oldest African-American school still functioning in Florida.

Susan Harmeling, executive director for the Gasparilla Distance Classic Association, said event organizers hope to grow into a citywide after-school program.

Until then, the kids at St. Peter Claver just have to focus on the finish line.

"It's just going to take practice. It's going to take some hard work," Rinaldo said after the first session. "You guys did awesome today."

They ran laps around the yard at St. Peter Claver Catholic School last week, breaking in their new Nike sneakers. The laughter of the 80 fifth- through eighth-graders mingled with the thumping bass of a nearby car stereo and the din of an ice cream truck as their trainer stayed with the slow kids in the back of the pack.

Healthy choices

Five tips for healthy kids, from YMCA health initiative director Maureen Rinaldo:

1. Portion control is as easy as changing the sizes of plates.

2. Choose healthy snacks.

3. Drink more water.

4. Eliminate trans fats.

5. Get the family involved in fitness activities.

[Last modified January 11, 2007, 22:00:59]