Healthy Kids Day + Spring Fun Run – Making Fitness Fun for All Ages at Two Y Community Events

ymca spring run
Both Healthy Kids Day and the Spring Run are intended to get families moving together.
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healthy kids day
Healthy Kids Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 25 at the Briggs Community Branch of the South Sound YMCA.

The rewards of physical fitness have especially long term benefits for our children.. The national Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion encourages that “youth who are regularly active also have a better chance of a healthy adulthood.” By modeling good fitness now, both children and their parents ensure many healthy, happy years together.

On Saturday, April 25 the South Sound YMCA’s Briggs Community Branch will host the first of two family fitness events. Their Healthy Kids Day is a free event celebrated simultaneously at more than 1,300 Ys nationwide. The fun takes place from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and features crafts, face painting activities, educational games, fitness challenge, and hands-on demonstrations. There will also be a Bike Rodeo (parade) beginning at 10:30 a.m. Kids are encouraged to bring their zanily decorated bike and participants are encouraged to pre-register by calling 360-753-6576.

Briggs branch Executive Director Joyce Neas explains that “at Healthy Kids Day, we encourage kids to stay physically and intellectually active all summer long, and we give families tips they can easily replicate at home. The event is free and open to the community. The Y is so much more than sports, swimming, gymnastics, and a place for kids to hang out. We support families in their efforts to instill healthy habits at home.”

ymca spring run
On Saturday, May 2, the South Sound YMCA will host their 28th annual Spring Run.

Once Healthy Kids Day gets your energetic juices flowing, sign up for the 28th annual YMCA Spring Run and Public Agency Challenge, which takes place on Saturday, May 2. This event is open to everyone and includes a 10K certified run/walk, a 2 mile run/walk, and 1/2 mile kids’ run.

Governor Jay Inslee explains that “in the past, thousands of public employees and their families have taken part in the 2 mile and 10K courses. The Public Agency Challenge provides outstanding opportunities for fun and fellowship. It’s also a wonderful way for public agencies to celebrate Public Service Recognition Week. Special acknowledgement will be given to public agencies with the highest participation. Individual participants with the best finishing times will also be recognized.”

The races will begin and end at the Capitol Campus and are open to runners and walkers of all ages. If your state agency, group, or club enrolls more than 20 runners, the group also receives one free pair of shoes courtesy of South Sound Running. Competitive runners should note that the 10K is professionally certified and the event is chip-timed.

ymca spring run
Both Healthy Kids Day and the Spring Run are intended to get families moving together.

Jake Grater, Executive Director of the YMCA’s Downtown Branch is proud that “last year we had 1,102 runners, making it the second largest race in the area behind the Capital City Marathon!”

Preregistration for the race is required and can be completed either in person at both South Sound YMCA branches or online via this link. Register before April 22 to avoid late fees and to be eligible to enter as a team. The Kids Run begins at 8:30 a.m. on May 2, the 10K starts at 8:45 a.m., and the 2 mile run at 8:50 a.m. A course map and instructions can be found here.

Call 360-357-6609 with any Spring Fun Run questions and 360-753-6576 with questions about Healthy Kids Day.

1920s American boxer Gene Tunney was known to say that “exercise should be regarded as tribute to the heart.” Community fitness events like these hosted at, and by, the South Sound YMCA prove that it’s also a tribute from the heart.

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