Building A Healthier Community One Step At A Time!
You know racing season is upon us when the weather finally turns warm and runners take their runs outdoors to the streets of the community. It’s a great sight to see our community taking such strides to a healthier lifestyle.
This year, through collaboration of the Dixon YMCA, the Reagan Run Committee, AHEC and the University of Illinois Extension, a new program has been brought to Dixon – the Go FAR (go out for a run) program.
GO FAR is a comprehensive fitness program for children that promotes fun, physical activity, healthy eating and good character. The goal of the GO FAR program is to empower children to make healthy lifestyle choices that they can integrate and sustain throughout their entire life, including life lessons like sportsmanship, self-disciple and consideration. This 9 week program works in tandem with the Reagan Run and the Kids’ Fun Run to teach kids how to properly train and run a 5K. Training runs began the last week of May with the series coming to an end at this year’s 15th annual Reagan Run on July 5th.
Children age 9 an under can participate in the annual Kids’ Fun Run beginning at 7:30 a.m. on July 5th. This is a free, noncompetitive road race of approximately 6/10 of a mile. Kids typically finish within eight to fifteen minutes. This allows parents time to watch or run along with their kids and still have time to compete in the 5K. Safety is a top concern for all runners therefore the 5K and Kids’ Run courses are well-marked and full of volunteers.
Participants of the fun run will receive medals, goodie bags and refreshments upon finishing.
Special thanks to all those sponsors who make the Kids’ Fun Run and Go FAR program possible: Dixon Family YMCA, Boss Carpet One Floor & Home, KSB Hospital, Grot Imaging Studios, Dr. Tom Lawless, Optometrist, Reagan Run 5K, Kohl’s, Exceptional Dentistry, AHEC and the University of Illinois Extension Office.
Hope to see you there and happy running!