Andi Desanto, of Tolland, is looking to bring the Healthy Kids Running Series to Whalley Park. (Photo courtesy of Andi Desanto)
SOUTHWICK – Andi Desanto of Tolland is looking to host a running series for kids at Whalley Park. At a Park and Recreation Committee meeting this week, Desanto indicated that she is looking to host races in the spring, called the Healthy Kids Running Series.
Founded by Pattison Sports Group in Pennsylvania in 2009, the Healthy Kids Running Series is a nationwide program that allows children aged two-years-old to 14-years-old to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle. The Healthy Kids Running Series is a five-week program in the spring and fall that takes place every Sunday for two hours. The running events include the 50-yard dash, the 75-yard dash, the quarter-mile run, the half-mile run, and the one-mile run. Kids are able to compete each week and can earn points based on what place they come in. At the end of the five weeks, the top boy and the top girl with the most points in their age division are given a trophy.
Despite only the top finishers receiving trophies, Desanto noted that every child that registers for all 5 weeks also gets rewarded.
“When the children register for the whole series, they get a goodie bag,” said Desanto. “Every child receives a medal for participating.”
Searching for races on Facebook for her young son and daughter to participate in, Desanto came across the Healthy Running Series and thought it would be a great idea to bring it to the Western Massachusetts area.
“I used to be a runner and I love running,” said Desanto. “I feel like there aren’t enough kid-friendly races around.”
In an effort to bring the running series to the Southwick area, Desanto has signed up to be a Community Coordinator for the Healthy Kids Running Series and she would be the lead organizer for the event. Desanto will be attending a conference in January in King of Prussia, Penn. where she will meet with current Community Coordinator’s to learn from them on how to run the event.
Desanto sees the Healthy Running Series as a great opportunity for children of all ages.
“You can’t beat that distance for these kids that aren’t active all the time, it’s just a fun event for them to do with their friends,” said Desanto.
At the Park and Recreation meeting this week, Desanto made a request to the committee to have the Healthy Running Kids Series at Whalley Park. Cara Cartello, of the Park and Recreation Committee, said that the committee still needs to go over the spring schedule and see if the event can be held at Whalley Park before officially approving Desanto’s request. Cartello did say the committee was in favor of the idea.
“The board was excited, they thought it would be fantastic,” said Cartello.
If the request was approved, Desanto would like the first event to be on Sunday, April 28 and take place from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. The cost for to participate in all five races would be $35. Needing volunteers, Desanto has already reached out to the athletic director at the Southwick Regional School to see if any student-athletes may want to volunteer for the event. Desanto has also put in an application to use the track at the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District but hasn’t heard back from them yet.
