ING Run for Something Better

Kids to Rock a Marathon of Their Own

• ING KiDS ROCK Philadelphia to Inspire, Encourage Local Kids to Enjoy Fitness
• ESPN’s Bonnie Bernstein to join Olympians Rod Dixon and Jim Ryun

Philadelphia, PA – September 6, 2011 – The excitement of the start line and the thrill of the finish line is a special moment often reserved for serious athletes. But on Thursday, September 15, approximately 1,000 kids will learn an important lesson: that running can actually be just for fun. Children in grades K-8 will take part in ING KiDS ROCK Philadelphia, a one-mile, non-timed, non-competitive, fun run to combat childhood obesity. The event begins at 10:30 am at Belmont Plateau.

As participants in the ING KiDS ROCK program, young athletes become marathon finishers by completing 25.2 miles of a 26.2 mile marathon at their own pace with guidance from parents or teachers, using the Official ING Run For Something Better Training Guide. The training program also includes tips to help kids start and maintain an overall healthy and active lifestyle.

Children can run their miles anywhere or whenever they want, such as at home, during recess at school, or soccer practice. They keep track of their mileage based on the honor system with supervision from a parent, teacher or facilitator. The final mile will be completed on race day and finishers will receive a medal and goodies to commemorate the accomplishment. 

ESPN’s Bonnie Bernstein, one of the country’s top sports broadcasters and a passionate advocate for children’s health, will cheer on the participants along with Jim Ryun, an Olympic Medalist, World Record Holder and former Congressman and Olympian and ING KiDS ROCK Ambassador Rod Dixon.

“Physical fitness sets kids up for success in life on many levels, and I want every child to have that.  Getting kids active is all about making it fun,” said Dixon. “Bringing kids’ fitness to a nationwide level is crucial to creating awareness and making an impact on childhood obesity. ING KiDS ROCK is an incredible partnership of dedicated organizations and one I’m thrilled to represent.”

ING KiDS ROCK is supported by ING Run For Something Better®, ING’s charity that champions running and fitness programs in schools across the country. 

“As the official charity of ING KiDS ROCK, the ING Run For Something Better program is helping to get kids on the road to adopting healthier lifestyles as a way to combat childhood obesity,” said Rhonda Mims, president of the ING Foundation and senior vice president, ING’s Office of Corporate Responsibility. “ING KiDS ROCK is a fun way for kids to achieve a sense of accomplishment for their discipline leading up the event, and we hope they continue running for years to come.”

For more information, please visit INGKiDSROCK.com.  ING KiDS ROCK Philadelphia is a part of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon, which takes place Sunday, September 18.

ING KiDS ROCK aligns with First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” initiative, and the program is teaming up with The President’s Challenge to reach as many kids as possible across the nation. The President’s Challenge promotes physical activity that is fun and that you can do on your own, with friends or with family members. Participants in ING KiDS ROCK can earn awards for staying active and track progress along with other kids across the country.

About ING Run For Something Better

ING Run For Something Better® helps fund school-based running programs in an effort to combat childhood obesity before it ever begins. Linked to ING’s commitment to education, the program helps introduce kids to the benefits of sport, a habit of physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Nationally, ING has committed over $2.5 million to fund grants and school-based running programs through ING Run For Something Better. Since 2006, $1 million has also been raised by individual donors through a special charitable fund that encourages others to support the cause through their own contributions. When someone donates $10 or more to ING Run For Something Better, ING will recognize their contribution by giving them a special pair of orange shoelaces to wear showing that they are “tied” to supporting kids’ fitness. One hundred percent of the net proceeds go to the ING Run For Something Better fitness programs. For more information about the orange laces, go to www.orangelaces.com.

About ING KiDS ROCK Philadelphia

ING KiDS ROCK Philadelphia is a cumulative marathon program capped by a non-competitive, non-timed one-mile fun run for kids grades K-8. As participants in the ING KiDS ROCK Philadelphia program, young athletes become marathon finishers by completing 25.2 miles of a marathon at their own pace with guidance from parents or teachers. T he event plans to motivate children to live a healthy lifestyle. They can learn early on that running can be fun and goals can be attainable. On Thursday, September 15, all participants will meet to run one mile together. Each participant will run or walk one mile, cross the finish line and receive a finisher’s medal and goodies to commemorate the accomplishment. More information is available at: INGKiDSROCK.com

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