FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Annual Little Rockers Kids Marathon Kick-off Event to be Held Oct. 9
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Sept. 13, 2010) – "The Great Lace Up," a registration
kick-off event for the Little Rockers Kids Marathon, will be held from 10
a.m. to noon Oct. 9 on the football field at War Memorial Stadium in Little
Rock. The kick-off event is presented by Arkansas Children's Hospital,
which is a sponsor of the Little Rock Rockers Kids Marathon.
The 7th annual Little Rockers Kids Marathon Final Mile will begin at noon
on Saturday, March 5, 2011, in the River Market District. Little Rockers is
held in conjunction with the Little Rock Marathon, set for Sunday, March 6,
2011. The Little Rock Marathon and companion races are a project of and
benefit Little Rock Parks & Recreation. KTHV and B98.5 are sponsors of the
Little Rockers.
The Oct. 9 Little Rockers kick-off event will include free healthy snacks
from Ben E. Keith, music and a series of fun Halloween-themed obstacle
course activities. Goody bags full of coupons and Halloween fun will be
distributed to the first 300 participants. Registration begins at 9 a.m.,
however kids are encouraged to pre-register for the kick-off event at
www.littlerockmarathon.com.
"The Great Lace Up event is a fun and exciting way for kids and their
parents to learn more about the Little Rockers and how they can start
training for the big day in March," said Geneva Hampton, executive director
of the Little Rock Marathon. "We want to motivate students to become more
physically fit, and remind families that fitness can be fun in many
different ways!"
Arkansas Children's Hospital representatives and the hospital's mascot,
Scout, will lead participants in a Monster Mash warm-up. Local media
representatives will also participate in a special media challenge to kick
off the obstacle course activities.
A series of activities, including broomstick hurdles, a pumpkin relay,
three-legged monster race, Mr. Bones relay race and a mummy wrap race, will
be held. After all five activities are completed, participants will get to
log their first mile of the 26.2-mile marathon training program. Kids ages
7-12 who complete the training program from November-February will have the
opportunity to complete their final mile in front of friends, family and
spectators in March.
The Little Rockers Kids Marathon encourages children ages 7-12 to become
more active by following a fun, simple running and/or walking program. The
goal for each child is to complete at least 25.2 miles before race day.
Then, on race day, children who are registered and have reached their
mileage goal will complete their final mile on the official Little Rock
Marathon course in front of family, friends and thousands of spectators. A
child can participate through an official Little Rockers program at their
school, church or civic organization. Or a child can participate at home
with an adult's help.
"We are proud to sponsor and be a part of the Little Rockers Marathon again
this year," said Dr. Bonnie Taylor, medical director at Arkansas Children's
Hospital. "We hope to have another successful kick-off event, and look
forward to cheering on hundreds of kids as they complete the final mile of
the race. The kick-off event is a great way to encourage students to start
a fitness program now in order to achieve a larger goal on race day."
For more information and to register a child for The Great Lace Up, visit
www.littlerockmarathon.com.
About Little Rock Parks & Recreation
Little Rock Parks and Recreation oversees 52 parks and 5,800 acres of
designated parks and open space. In addition, the Little Rock Parks &
Recreation offers a wide-range of youth and adult recreational and sports
leagues, after-school and summer playground programs for children ages
6-15, outdoor recreation, therapeutic recreation and programs for seniors.
Funds raised will continue to support parks and recreational programs for
all ages. For more information about Little Rock Parks & Recreation please
visit www.lrpr.org.
About Arkansas Children's Hospital
Arkansas Children's Hospital is the only pediatric medical center in
Arkansas and one of the largest in the United States serving children from
birth to age 21. The campus spans 29 city blocks and houses 316 beds, a
staff of approximately 500 physicians, 80 residents in pediatrics and
pediatric specialties and more than 4,200 employees. The private, nonprofit
healthcare facility boasts an internationally renowned reputation for
medical breakthroughs and intensive treatments, unique surgical procedures
and forward-thinking medical research - all dedicated to fulfilling a
mission of enhancing, sustaining and restoring children's health and
development. ACH has ranked twice on FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work
For®, most recently at No. 85. For more information, visit
www.archildrens.org.
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