ALDERSHOT – A running program for students is showing no signs of slowing down after kicking off another year at Aldershot Elementary School April 25.
This is the school’s fourteenth year participating in the Kids’ Run Club, a free running program created in 2004 by Doctors Nova Scotia to address the lack of activity in children.
The program, which encourages kids to walk, jog, run or move in other ways, happens several times per week during physical education classes and the school’s lunch period, and is overseen by teacher Troy David and club coordinator Kerry Copeland, who was on hand and keeping stride with the kids who participated in the first run of the year.
“This school has been with us from the beginning and has a double whammy approach, which is a great opportunity for its students who get twice the running time,” said Copeland.
Running both easy and affordable: David
Aldershot is the only school in the Annapolis Valley that has been involved since the program’s start, and one of just 13 across the province.
David has overseen the club at Aldershot since 2005, and said it’s rewarding as a physical education teacher to see his students participate in “an easy and affordable way” to stay healthy.
Shelley Morse is the school’s vice-principal and also attended the first run, crediting the club’s success at Aldershot to David’s “encouragement and dedication to healthy living.”
Getting the kids to run wasn’t a hard sell either, with students like Madison Walsh and Brock Pimm, both in Grade 5, who both love running.
“I like pushing myself so I can run easier and have better cardio,” said Pimm, while Walsh added, “it’s fun to run – it makes you active, and that’s healthy.”
Teaching healthy, longlasting habits
The program is also designed to teach kids about other important factors in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, like eating good foods and getting enough sleep each day.
The program started with 3,500 participants in 2004 and now reaches over 17,000 youth in 270 schools, which translates to over 80 per cent of elementary schools in Nova Scotia.
The club closes each year with a final optional fun-run of up to five kilometres designed to show kids the progress they’ve achieved throughout their weeks of running, and what kind of impact it has, said Copeland.
“The club is all about healthy living messages, getting them active, and hoping they bring their habits into adulthood,” she said.
“Everyone can run, no matter what level you start at – you push yourself a bit and you get better.”
