Posted: March 16, 2006

Athletics: Intermountain Kids Marathon Program Puts Youth on Road to Health

SALT LAKE CITY - (March 13, 2006) - The Salt Lake City Marathon and Intermountain Medical Group have created a unique program for school age children in Utah. The Intermountain Kids Marathon will put Utah's kids on the road to a healthy lifestyle while working through the 26-unit course of activities related to fitness, nutrition and good deeds. Activities will encourage healthy living activities through mentoring, goal setting, teamwork, reading and participation in fitness-related activities. The goal is to help provide a basis for a lifetime of fitness for Utah's children-not just a one-time activity.

The program for children 5 thru 12-years-old runs Feb. 1, 2006 thru June 3, 2006. Kids or their parents can register online at SaltLakeCityMarathon.com or by calling (801) 412-6060. The cost to participate is $12 which includes a progress chart, goal stickers, fitness-related gifts, book reading list (age specific), nutrition information, program outline, three special events and the final Kids' 1K (.62 mile) walk/run around The Gateway to coincide with the Salt Lake City Marathon. Organizers will send $2 of the entry fee back to each participant's school or organization of choice.

The organizers of the Salt Lake City Marathon and Devine, owners of this and several other road races, want to encourage additional physical education programs and organized activities that promote and maintain healthy lifestyles for kids. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that "15 percent of youth between six and 19-years-of-age are overweight...that's nearly nine million children and the proportion is three times what it was in 1980." Experts say it takes 30 days of doing something to make it a habit. This three-month program will put Utah kids on the road to maintaining healthy habits for a lifetime.

"This is a fantastic way to keep Utah kids excited about health," says Tamara Lewis, MD, Intermountain's medical director of community health and prevention. "Today's kids are bombarded with unhealthy messages about weight, and non-nutritious foods, and they don't spend enough time finding healthy and fun ways to move. We are delighted to support the Intermountain Kids Marathon and appreciate our on-going partnership with this important community event."

"We excited to continue this important fitness program for Utah's children. One of our largest goals for the Salt Lake City Marathon is to spur our community on to a greater level of fitness. What better way to start than with Utah's children," said Greg Reid, race director. "We are fortunate to have great community partners in this effort to reach out to all school age children. Intermountain Medical Group, Salt Lake City Corporation, Salt Lake County and Devine have been instrumental in helping us bring this to fruition."

About the Salt Lake City Marathon
Salt Lake City Marathon has become one of the most spectacular new marathons on the endurance racing circuit. The Salt Lake City Marathon was among 12 new favorites listed by Runner's World in the 2005 Marathon Guide in their January article: "Small Wonders: Big Fun, Big Scenery, Big Rewards." January's Competitor Magazine and Rocky Mountain Sports Magazine both tout Salt Lake City as the "Best Race at Altitude." Top runners from around the world will enjoy mild running weather in June, in a setting that surrounds them with still snow-capped peaks contrasting with late spring blossoms, all along a flat and slightly downhill 26.2 mile course.

Online registration is open at SaltLakeCityMarathon.com and is filling quickly. Registration is $80 for the marathon, $55 for the half-marathon, $35 for the Bike Tour, $30 for the 5K and $12 for the IHC MaraFit Kids Fitness Program.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org.

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