FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: PR Racing
Danny Elefenbein
305-278-8668
"WORLD'S FASTEST WOMAN" LAURYN WILLIAMS INSPIRES KIDS
TO RUN MARATHON IN THE "ING RUN FOR SOMETHING BETTER" PROGRAM
Miami Mayor Diaz joins ING Miami Marathon officials
to cheer on students from Allapattah Middle School
MIAMI (January 11, 2006) - For the past 23 weeks, eighty Allapattah Middle
School students have been running a 26.2 mile marathon. Running one mile
per week, the students, whose ages range from 11 to 13, have been racking
up miles in preparation to run their "Final Mile" and cross the finish
line. They'll be doing so alongside professional international athletes and
more than 10,000 runners at the ING Miami Marathon on January 29, 2006. To
commend the effort and commitment shown by Allapattah Middle School
students to the ING Run for Something Better program, Miami Mayor Manny
Diaz and 2004 Olympic 100m Silver Medalist, Lauryn Williams, participated
in a pep rally at Allapattah Middle School, in the City of Miami, this
morning.
Bleachers filled with over 150 students, decked out in gym clothes and
wearing bright orange ING Miami Marathon caps, along with a marching band
and cheerleaders, greeted Mayor Diaz, whose support of the ING Miami
Marathon has been instrumental to its success. Sporting an orange cap
himself, the Mayor went into the bleachers and chatted one on one with the
students. Later during the pep rally, he congratulated all the participants
in the running program for their perseverance and encouraged them to keep
with the program.
The county-wide school-based running program, funded by ING and the FIT
MIAMI Foundation, in partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, was
kicked-off in August 2005. The program targets the middle school sector
because these children are at the highest risk of becoming sedentary.
Participation in the ING Run for Something Better is extremely important
considering recent studies by the National Center for Health Services
indicates that 30.4 % of children ages 12-19 are overweight or at risk of
being overweight. An additional concern for children in South Florida is a
higher frequency of overweight adolescents in minority populations, where
over 40% of Hispanic and Non-Hispanic black children ages 12-19 are
overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. In addition, studies have
also shown a distinct positive correlation between grades and physical
activity and may have more in common with each other than we realize.
Also on hand to motivate the students was Ricardo Lopez Valencia, ING's
Senior Vice President of Diversity Marketing, who noted that the ING Run
for Something Better program "demonstrates ING's commitment to our public
education, to our teachers and to our students. It also recognizes that a
healthy lifestyle and making the right choices is critical to success." He
went on to explain that the program "helps students understand that with
determination and discipline, they can achieve whatever they set-out to
do."
When Williams, who is the currently the world's fastest woman and a
University of Miami graduate, stood up to speak, the bleachers roared with
cheers. Williams noted that she hopes she can "inspire the children the way
they are inspiring her,"adding tongue-in-cheek, "I only run 100 meters so
for me, 26.2 miles is like, well, running a marathon!" When asked why it's
important for these students to be running, she responded "It's important
not only for health and fitness reasons, but because it also teaches
children to learn how to carry themselves with pride, win or lose."
The grand finale came when the students, led by Allapattah Middle School's
Coach Leotha Fleming and Coach Veldrana Oliver, took the field and ran two
laps around the track. According to Coach Fleming, the ING Run for
Something Better has inspired Allapattah Middle School students in a few
ways. Thirteen year-old Shermora has lost between 8-10 pounds since
starting and has begun to feel increased confidence. Another two students,
Jason, 14 and Alberto 12, realized they enjoyed running so much that
they've decided to join a local track team. All the students are excited
about the opportunity to run in the actual marathon, and are thrilled that
the Mayor of Miami and an Olympic star and world champion visited their
school. The success of the program at Allapattah is also the result of the
backing and enthusiasm of the school's Principal, Brian Hamilton.
The ING Run for Something Better program is part of ING's commitment to the
ING Miami Marathon and the community of South Florida. The running program
allows Miami Dade Public Schools to create a strong focus on physical
activity and healthy lifestyles while supporting the physical education
curriculum already established in the schools. The program encourages
children to lead active and healthy lifestyles while engaging them in a
goal-oriented program.
The students have been running at least one mile per week, completing 25
miles over 25 weeks, with the final 1.2 miles taking place at the ING Miami
Marathon. Only children who complete the weekly goals totaling the 25 miles
will be issued a race number to participate in the ING Run for Something
Better "Final Mile" at the Miami Marathon on January 29, 2006. Each child
who completes the program receives a special race t-shirt, a finisher's
medal, and other great items to celebrate their accomplishment as the
youngest marathoners in South Florida.
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