The official opening of the Mighty Metres running programme headed by Elana Meyer on behalf of the Sports and Education Foundation, takes place at Hillwood Primary school in Lavender Hill on Monday morning.
The running programme was established in New York as the Mighty Milers and now adapted to the Mighty Metres with the endorsement of the Western Cape Department of Education. It can be implemented as part of the school day.
Elana Meyer, CEO of the JAG Sports and Education Foundation said: “The programme is not meant to create champions but to address the state of children’s health. It is meant as an easy-to-implement option for schools especially because many schools have not got Physical Education as part of the curriculum any more.
“Doing regular exercise keeps children healthy and gives them a sense of purpose. We have been in the process of setting up this programme over the past six months and I am thrilled that it is finally taking off today.”
The Mighty Metres programme instils a daily habit of walking or running for heath and well-being, and involves young primary school learners of all fitness levels. The programme encourages children to run from one to six marathons over the period of a year by doing at least one kilometre, three to five times a week. The students earn small incentives as they progress, including a medal for every marathon they complete.
The JAG Sports and Education Foundation’s running programmes are based on the successful New York Road Runners Foundation that implements programmes for more than 25 000 children a week, of different ages and fitness levels and is also one of the main partners of the Foundation
Greg James founder of the JAG Sports and Education Foundation said: “A healthy body leads to a healthy mind, healthy life and a healthy society. We believe that sports development goes a long way to uplifting a country and it is a unifying force among members of a community. Getting children involved in sports from an early age provides them with a sense of pride in themselves as South Africans.”
Source: HWB Communications on behalf of the JAG Foundation, May 18 2007
Contact Information:
info@jagfoundation.com
0027 021 7027880