RUN FOR YOUR LIFE School Running Program: more than just for kids Buffy Fitzgerald is the leader of the "Run for your Life" running club, at a private school in Florida. At the end of the school year, to close out their year of running, they hosted a GRAND FINALE run. This run was a competition, but not of the usual sort. The children were challenged to get their parents, siblings, teachers, and principal up and moving. Exercise is recommended for people of all ages, and part of their responsibility as a "Run for your Life" team member was to encourage others to run. Points were awarded for getting other runners to participate in the end of the year fun run. Here's the point breakdown: SIBLING - 1 point PARENT - 3 points TEACHER - 7 points SCHOOL PRINCIPAL - 15 points On the day of the club event, there were over 100 participants; including the school principal. The event was a success. As a reward the young runners were given a kids' dress down day. On this day the children were allowed to wear their running club T-shirt to school instead of the required private school uniform. The club will host the same event this year with only one change. The goal to increase participation will be much higher! The love for exercise can be contagious. Please let us know what you have done to encourage those around you to stay healthy and fit through exercise. I'm hoping that this Web site will encourage our young people to embrace running, stay healthy and be the best they can be. Please email rwedit@rodale.com with comments on this article. Thank you to Buffy for sharing her great idea for involving family members in exercise.