2010 marks the 10th running of the GO! St. Louis Marathon and Family Fitness Weekend, Missouri’s largest fitness event. In addition to the full and half-marathon events, there are plenty of activities for families and kids to enjoy some fit fun in the (hopefully) sun.
The marathon, which takes place on Sunday, April 11, will be preceded by a day of family fitness events on Saturday, April 10 in Forest Park. At 9:15 area school children will participate in the Read, Right and Run Marathon®, launched in 2001 to develop reading proficient, physically fit and community minded children by challenging them to READ 26 books, RIGHT the community with 26 good deeds, and RUN 26.2 miles over a six-month period. Participating K-5 students will run their final 1.2 miles and the middle-schoolers will run a 5K (3.1 miles). More than 30,000 area students have accepted the challenge since the program was established.
A series of Childrens Fun Runs will begin at 10:15 a.m. at Cricket Field, featuring four different events for children, including a “Diaper Dash” for toddlers and three races for children ages two to 10, a 50-yard dash, 100 yard dash or half mile run. Kids enjoy the thrill of victory from completing a fitness goal. Each child receives an event t-shirt and commemorative finisher’s medal. In past years, nearly 300 children have participated in one of the four different distances.
For all of the weekend’s exciting fitness activities, visit www.gostlouis.org.
By Amy Burger, Events Blogger for SmartParenting
Amy Burger is a mom, freelance writer and communications professional with nearly 20 years experience working in St. Louis. Her work has appeared in numerous publications and media outlets including STL Parent, Missouri Life magazine, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Town & Style and kdhx.org, among others. When she's not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two beautiful girls at home in Kirkwood.
Your child is old enough to start kindergarten, are they ready? Are you? At this special presentation, both you and your child will get a brief overview of what is expected before your child even enters the classroom. You'll also receive a free backpack and school supplies. Registration is required.
Visit The Magic House for Toddler Time, a special early-morning program for toddlers. Children age 1-4 can take part in exhibits and exclusive interactive activities designed just for little ones. There are new themes every week!
Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym is an opportunity for any child to have supervised free play in the gym. They can work on existing skills, try something new, or simply play around. It is completely up to them! Open Gym is open to both members and non-members ages 12 and under.
Learn ways to nurture your baby's development and make new friends in a relaxed, supportive environment at Baby & Me, a free class offered at the St. Louis County Library. Baby & Me classes are for parents and caregivers with pre-walking infants ages 0-12 months.
Kids can meet a friendly CHAMP Therapy Dog and read to them to enhance their reading skills!
