Run For A Claus - December 6, 2014

Kids Run the OC (KROC) is an exciting training program provided by the OC Marathon Foundation designed to help children in Orange County become more physically fit through the encouragement of healthy habits to combat the onset of childhood obesity. KROC certified coaches lead children through dynamic games to improve speed, agility, flexibility, and hand/eye coordination. Over the course of 10 – 12 weeks, students at participating schools will accumulate about 25-miles of exercise through the training program and will be prepared to finish a “marathon” by completing their final mile at the Kids Run the OC on Saturday, May 2, 2015, held during the U.S. Bank OC Marathon event weekend.

The importance of KROC cannot be overstated as studies from the Orange County Department of Education show that only 38.7% of OC 5^th graders passed the 2013 State Fitness Test, affirming that children need accessible options for physical fitness. The Kids Run the OC fitness program promotes active living through volunteer-based coaching that occurs before, during, or after school. The OC Marathon Foundation’s KROC program provides thorough training and materials for coaches as well as a mentoring program from existing coaches to ensure success at schools new to the program.

Schools interested in joining the program are invited to attend the upcoming New School Information Night on Tuesday, December 2. The meeting is required for participation, and will be held at the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) in Costa Mesa located at 200 Kalmus in the Building A Board Room, from 5 – 6 p.m. RSVP is required to attend the New School Information Night. For more information contact info@kidsruntheoc.org.

The OC Marathon Foundation and KROC is one of several charitable organizations benefiting from the OC Marathon’s upcoming Run for A Claus 5k or Kids 1-Mile Run/Walk taking place on Saturday, December 6 at the UC Irvine campus. Runners clad in Santa hats and beards will run to raise funds and awareness for their cause at the inaugural event, and child runners who participate in both the Run For A Claus and Kids Run the OC races can measure their improvement from December to May based on their timed miles at each event.

In 2014, Kids Run the OC attracted more than 5,500 participants from over 80 schools and agencies in 17 Orange County school districts making it one of the largest youth events in the country. The 2015 KROC program continues to gain momentum, expecting to be in 100 schools throughout Orange County, positively influencing more OC kids than ever For more information visit www.kidsruntheoc.org.