LVRR KIDS' RACES At the Runner's World Half-Marathon by Carol Goodrow Making our Kids Feel Special THE EVENT May 3, 2003 All kids at the LVRR Kids' races are number 1. Close to 400 children attended the first annual Lehigh Valley Road Runner Kids' Races in Allentown, Pennsylvania, held in front of the Clarion Hotel, on the first weekend in May, which the mayor was soon to declare as "Allentown's Annual Running Weekend". The event was designed to showcase the Lehigh Valley Road Runner youth series, and to promote health, fitness, and fun. The kids' event became the newest addition to the RW Half-Marathon and 5-K which are held on the following day. The streets were lined with family, friends, and local fans. Clowns, balloons, and media were there. There were ribbons and T-shirts. NBC's Soledad O'Brien signed autographs and ran with the kids. Music played through the sound system, but the highlight of the day, to the spectators' delight, was the vision of Marathon World Record Holder, Khalid Khannouchi, lending a hand to a frightened young runner. Together they ran the quarter mile in the back of the pack, and as they ran the child's tears disappeared and his stride became more confident. Khalid, child, and child's father (Click to enlarge.) Marathon World Record Holder, Khalid Khannouchi, lends a hand Khalid Khannouchi believes that kids are our future, so he was happy to be at the kids' event today. Once long ago, Khalid ran his first race and he had no idea, at the time, that he would become a famous runner, but most importantly Khalid hoped that the chilldren would have fun at the races today. And for Khalid, this was also a day of fun. After getting an autograph from Soledad O'Brien Soledad entertained the crowd at the pasta dinner, later that evening, with her description of how she recently became a runner. Soledad trained for her first 10-K under the guidance of RW's Adam Bean. See the June issue of the Runner's World magazine for the complete story. Kids waiting to run! This race is the kick-off for the 2003 LVRR youth series. As with today's kids' event, there is no cost for the series. In its continued efforts to support youth running in the Lehigh Valley, the LVRR is PROUD to sponsor every child for each youth event. And it was obvious that the LVRR knows its stuff. The kids knew how to run. There was talk of splits, some well paced running, and plenty of finish line kicks and mini-competitions. But there was also spirit, fun, and camaraderie, as everyone cheered for each and every runner and often the loudest cheering was heard when the last child reached that finish line. EVENT DISTANCE INFORMATION AGE DISTANCE LAPS 5 - 6 1/4 mile 1 7 - 8 1/2 mile 2 9 - 14 1 4 Running Family Lots of smiles The youngest runner Well almost everyone was smiling. This little 2 year old was ready to run. He's got a couple of years to wait to enter the kids' event here, but when he gets home he's going for a 50 meter sprint! LINKS More KidsRunning.Com photos from the LVRR and RW Kids' Event Lehigh Valley Road Runners Lehigh Valley's Premier Running Club sdodson@enter.net Write to LVRR contact person: Loretta Dodson khannouchi.com Khalid Khannouchi's Web site Wesleyworks.com More photos carol.kids@rodale.com.