http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/westportki_985.mp3
Area school children are helping to raise money for a local organization and get fit at the same time. Michele Skalicky has more.
Lots of people will be taking part in the Kitchen Fun Run/Walk this weekend (5/12). Some of those will be doing their first such event, including students from Westport Elementary. 30 students and around six parents will be walking and running in the event, which will benefit the Kitchen, inc.
Tamra Nevill is the P.E. teacher at Westport and will be taking part in the Kitchen Fun Run/Walk, too.
"Every year I try to do some things where the kids can get involved and learn about fitness and learn about the community and ways that they can become physically fit through the community, and so this year I decided to have practices, actually train for a 5K."
The Westport Wildcats trained three days a week. Nevill says they've gotten to the point where a lot of the kids can run for two and a half miles without resting.
She hopes participating in tomorrow's (5/12) event will have lasting effects.
"I definitely think it gives them a broader look at ways to be fit rather than just having to be good at volleyball or basketball or playing a sport. It's a way they can do something as a hobby and enjoy and get physically fit that way without having to have the competition necessarily. It's more just about keeping your body healthy."
The students have received a lot of community sport in the form of sponsors. Nevill says she hopes the event will inspire the kids to continue running or walking for fun and also to help out their communities.
If you'd like to take part in the Kitchen Fun Run/Walk, registration will begin at 7 am tomorrow (5/12) at City Utilities, 301 E. Central. The race starts at 8. Proceeds will go directly to areas such as childcare, after school and summer programs and youth programs.
