The official kick-off of the Mighty Metres running programme took place last Tuesday at Rietenbosch Primary in Cloetesville.
This running programme was first established in New York as the Mighty Milers and has been adapted to the Mighty Metres with the endorsement of the Western Cape Department of Education.
In the Western Cape it is headed by Elana Meyer on behalf of the JAG Sports and Education Foundation and it can be implemented as part of the school day activities for children.
Elana Meyer, CEO of the JAG Sports and Education Foundation said: “The programme is not meant to create championships, but to address the state of children’s health. It is meant as an easy-to-implement option for schools, especially because many schools do not have 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 kicking off, “she said.
The Mighty Metres programme instills a daily habit of walking or running for health and well-being, and involves young primary school pupils of all fitness levels. The programme encourages children to run from one to six marathons over a period of a year by doing at least one kilometer, three to five times a week.
The students earn small incentives as they make progress. Each day’s distance is recorded and pupils are rewarded with a medal for every “marathon” they complete over a period of a year.
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, inspiring children of different ages and fitness levels.
The New York Road Runners Foundation is one of the JAG Foundation’s main partners. 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 amongst 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: Stelebosch Gazette, June 26 2007
Contact Information:
info@jagfoundation.com
0027 021 7027880