Posted: December 12, 2005

Athletics: OC Marathon's Coach's Kids Training Program Promotes Healthy Habits

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - (December 12, 2005) - The OC Marathon and Run for Orange County Kids (ROCK) cares about its community, the children in the community and their future health. More than 20% of adults are obese, and obesity in children and adolescents is on the rise. To address this preventable trend, coaches from the OC Marathon have introduced to Orange County Schools an exercise program developed by OC Marathon Race Director and Coach Bill Sumner and the Cal Coast Track Club.

"It is our goal and commitment as fitness professionals to provide children of all ages and ability levels the opportunity for success in sport and physical activity," stated Sumner. "Through fun, creative programs and positive, energetic coaches, we aim to show every child the joy that comes from being physically active."

The Coach's Kids Marathon sponsored by McDonald's Restaurants is a 9-week training program designed to teach 8-12 years olds about running, basic health, nutrition and the importance of, and how fun, an active lifestyle is. Throughout the training program, OC Marathon kids coaches will visit participating schools to lead a program consisting of warm up, drills, plyometrics and strength conditioning. Kids are challenged with skipping, bounding, group competition and relays, rather than sending them out for a 1 mile run around the track. By the end of the training program, each child will have accumulated 25 miles of running, and they will be ready to complete the final 1.2 miles of their own marathon on Sunday, January 8, 2006 at the OC Marathon Coach's Kids Run.

Kick-off assemblies for the 2005-06 Coach's Kids Marathon training programs at each participating school began in late October.

Last year, the OC Marathon trained over 500 young athletes in the Coach's Kids Marathon Training Program. For a list of participating schools and other training options, please visit OCMarathon.com. For additional program information contact: call (949) 222-4607 or email: kroc@OCMarathon.com.

The OC Marathon presented by Pacificare benefits the community-based organization ROCK (Run for Orange County Kids). Last year, the OC Marathon event distributed over $300,000 for "ROCK" charity partners with an additional $125,000 generated through individual fundraising programs specific to each charity.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org.