Committed to the Long Run

Kids' Running Events

Helping children achieve fitness is easier than you think. Maybe your school already qualifies for a grant…

Offering children a healthy start to life fosters their desire to exercise before obesity ever begins. So we're making it simple for public schools to qualify for running program grants.

Already have a running program?

That's great. You can enhance your school's existing program with materials and educational components that focus on running, kids' fitness, nutrition and goal setting. Schools can even include local area history and geography in their fitness program as another way to motivate children. With ING Run For Something Better, schools also get to cap off the running program experience for kids with a final culminating running event. It could be an in-school race or a community-wide event where friends and neighbors can watch and cheer for the student athletes – it's up to each school! Check out Get Your School Involved to find out more and to get started with the easy application process.

Fitness fun for all

Part of what makes ING Run For Something Better so effective is the fact that it reaches out to all kids, including those who don't normally take part in sports or other physical activity programs. Kids of all fitness levels are telling us how much the program has inspired them to achieve:

"I can't believe I really finished the 5K. That was insane." - Student, Gorham Middle School, Gorham, ME

"Sometimes the training was difficult, but it was worth it because I've noticed that I have a good pace finally and I have tons of endurance. I used to have no endurance."
Student, Gettys Middle School, Easley, SC

"It has helped so many students and it has given them such pride. This is a great opportunity! - Marsha Mullen, Running Program Coach, Forest Ridge Elementary, Citrus, FL

"My coach trained me real, real well."- Student, Webb Elementary, Arlington, TX

"All I want to do this for is my mom and grandma"- Student, Webbe Elementary, Arlington TX

Get your grant

Even if your school doesn’t have a running program, there’s a great chance you might already meet the ING RFSB criteria.  Many schools already meet the ING RFSB criteria and don't even know it. Maybe yours does, too. Go to the Get Your School Involved page to find out how students at your school can fight childhood obesity and pick up a lifelong healthy habit.

Final Mile Race Days

As the corporate sponsor for ING Run For Something Better, ING partners with community organizations to sponsor thrilling race day culminating events in association with certain ING-sponsored marathons.

And through ING KiDS ROCK (a partnership between ING Run For Something Better and the KiDS ROCK running series operated by Competitor Group, Inc.), kids in select cities can experience music-filled culminating events featuring a Finish Line Festival.

"This is a test quote"
Nate Steiner, Atlanta

For the kids, these events feature a "final mile run," medals, t-shirts, celebrity appearances and, of course, orange laces! Culminating running events are the highlight of the youth running program in many children's lives. They've practiced hard, working each week to run farther. Then they get to finish off their running commitment, knowing they've reached their goals. Knowing what it is to succeed. For some kids, it's an accomplishment they never thought they could make.

You're welcome to come out to an ING-sponsored race day event or ING KiDS ROCK event to cheer the children on or try your hand as a volunteer. It's yet another way to show your support for fighting obesity in children. See our FAQs page for more information about volunteer opportunities.

Many Thanks To Our Community Partners:

ING Run For Something Better partners with the community groups below to bring free running programs to schools and to make the following races possible: