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Jason's inspiration comes from brother Justin.
 Why Kids Should Run, by Jason PyrahRunning is fun. I started running in 7th grade. I liked running and found something that I was good at. Kids should run because it is fun. Running will help make you feel better about yourself and feel better physically. 
I have a physically handicapped brother with Cerebral Palsy. His name is Justin. He can not participate in lots of sports like able-bodied people. He can run a little, but his joints are unstable, so he looks pretty uncoordinated when running. Actually Justin prefers to walk. Every now and then he goes for short walks up and down the road that he lives on. Justin has helped inspire me to run. I always keep him in mind when I race. I thought about him when I ran in the Olympics. He likes watching me run on TV. He cheers for me and always reminds me to do my best. 
Kids, you might run because someone has inspired you, but you should also run for yourselves. Always remember that you are only as good
as
you believe you can become. The best thing about running is that it is an
individual sport. If you work hard, you alone can achieve your goals.
Don't worry about other competitors. Only worry about yourself and the
best
feeling you can get is knowing in your heart that you gave it your all and
did the best that you could.
I hope that all of you enjoy running and hope that you do lots of it! Good luck in your competitions. I know that if you work hard that I will see some of you on TV in the future and even in the Olympics! All the best! Jason Pyrah, 1996, 2000 U.S. Olympian  Opera House in Sydney, Australia, 2000 Olympics LINKS USATF Athlete Bio, Jason Pyrah You may email Jason at Pyrahmania@yahoo.com Contact people are Editor, KidsRunning.Com rwedit@rodale.com and Mark Springer, Director of Grass Roots Programs, USATF mark.springer@usatf.org Prizes for the kick off theme have been donated by USATF, Runner's World, and KidsRunning.Com. Jason will be donating a prize to the grand prize raffle. Kids make sure to enter every month. Each time you enter you get another chance at a grand prize. There will be many given away.
Notice to Parents: Please consider obtaining a KidsRunning PIN (Personal Identification Number) for your child's ease of entry and participation in activities on KR. This helps keep your child's activities online safe and secure.
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Editor's Note: Running and writing are more fun when they are combined. Warm up for our upcoming contest. Lace up your running shoes and get out the door. Start up slowly, then pick up the pace and have a great run. Cool down, drink and stretch, then break out that running journal and let 'er rip!
