Free Fitness Program Preparing Youth For Local Duathlon

There’s a new trend developing in our country and it’s a good one!  Kid’s health has never been more important and new fitness opportunities are cropping up all over the Lehigh Valley for youngsters.  Mark your calendars for the second annual “Race for The Caring Place”  which will be held at Rodale Park on Sunday, June 12th at 3pm.  With a $20 race entry fee, all participants will receive a race shirt and medal, pizza, refreshments and entertainment as well as a chance to win great prizes.  Ages 8-13 will be chip-timed so the kids will feel like the pros!

Register soon, entry fee increases to $25 on May 28th.

In the weeks leading up to the race, registered participants will have the opportunity to participate in a training program on Sunday afternoons, from 3-5pm at Rodale Park.  Children rotate through three, 25-minute sessions: running, biking and transition area training.  They also receive a free training log.  This free program requires USAT annual membership (cost of $5, available online or at registration).

“My son loves it!” reports Kathleen Dent of Allentown.  Her son Jake learned about the training clinic from his fourth grade teacher at Union Terrace, Mr. Canfield, who is also a cycling coach for the program.

When asked what she likes best about the dualthon training, Josephine Carcamo, age 10, states “I really like learning about the transitions because I used to have to stop my bike to get on it, but now I’m learning how to jump on my bike when I am moving and it’s fun.”  She adds, “I like logging all of my training at the end of the day and getting raffle tickets for the raffle on race day.”  Her 12 year old brother Will, states “I will like race day because I want to race and find out what place I will get!”

Area coaches and athletes volunteer their time to support the cause of youth fitness at the training program.  Gail Micca, who directs the program is thrilled to have the talent and expertise of motivated coaches who are dedicated to children’s health, “The race and training program would not exist without the help of many wonderful individuals, coaches and friends.  All I did was ask, and people jumped in to help in every way possible.”

It is clear that area businesses also care about the issues of children’s health and fitness.  This local event has attracted the support of Lehigh Valley Health Network, The Walmart Foundation, Vitamix, Lehigh Valley Honda, Kohl’s, South Mountain Cycles, Saladworks (Cedarcrest), OAA Orthopaedic Specialists, Elite Sports Academy, Tighe Orthodontics, Long’s Ecowater,  Healthy Alternatives, Rita’s Ice, Funky Monkey snacks and Nestle Waters.

“This is exactly the type of event we like to support,”  says Jason Zulick of Kohl’s Department Store in Trexlertown.  In addition to financial support, the store will be sending several staff members to volunteer on race day as part of their “Associates in Action” program.

Two Vitamix blenders, each valued at $475 as well as an EcoWater Water Purification System will be raffled off.    Money raised from the race and raffle will benefit The Caring Place in Allentown.

The Caring Place, under the direction of Mary Ellen Griffin, is nearing completion of a commercial kitchen on its first floor at 931 Hamilton Street in Allentown.  Although the kitchen will primarily be rented to bakers and chefs in need of a commercial kitchen workspace, it will be also be used to teach nutrition and cooking skills to the children and teens who attend the after school and summer programs.   The Vitamix Corporation is also donating three commercial quality Vitamix blenders to The Caring Place Kitchen to benefit the health of these inner-city children.

If you’d like more information, log on to www.raceforthecaringplace.myevent.com
Register online at www.onestoprace.com
Enter the pre-race raffle to win a Vitamix 5200 Professional Blender (winner need not be present to win), email: micca@ptd.net