FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jana Allred
(801) 244-1892
Jason Mathis
(801) 442-3104
Intermountain Kids Marathon Geared for February Start
Investment in Area Youth for Health
Salt Lake City, March 13, 2006 - The Salt Lake City Marathon and
Intermountain Medical Group have created a unique program for school age
children in Utah. The Intermountain Kids Marathon will put Utah's kids on
the road to a healthy lifestyle while working through the 26-unit course of
activities related to fitness, nutrition, and good deeds. Activities will
encourage healthy living activities through mentoring, goal setting,
teamwork, reading, and participation in fitness-related activities. The goal
is to help provide a basis for a lifetime of fitness for Utah's children-not
just a one-time activity.
The program for children 5 through 12-years-old runs Feb. 1, 2006 through
June 3, 2006. Kids or their parents can register online at
www.SaltLakeCityMarathon.com or by calling (801) 412-6060. The cost to
participate is $12 which includes a progress chart, goal stickers,
fitness-related gifts, book reading list (age specific), nutrition
information, program outline, three special events and the final Kids' 1K
(.62 mile) walk/run around The Gateway to coincide with the Salt Lake City
Marathon. Organizers will send $2 of the entry fee back to each
participant's school or organization of choice.
The organizers of the Salt Lake City Marathon and Divine, owners of this and
several other marathons, want to encourage additional physical education
programs and organized activities that promote and maintain healthy
lifestyles for kids. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports
that "15 percent of youth between six and 19-years-of-age are
overweight…that's nearly nine million children and the proportion is three
times what it was in 1980." Experts say it takes 30 days of doing something
to make it a habit. This three-month program will put Utah kids on the road
to maintaining healthy habits for a lifetime.
"This is a fantastic way to keep Utah kids excited about health," says
Tamara Lewis, MD, Intermountain's medical director of community health and
prevention. "Today's kids are bombarded with unhealthy messages about
weight, and non-nutritious foods, and they don't spend enough time finding
healthy and fun ways to move. We are delighted to support the Intermountain
Kids Marathon and appreciate our on-going partnership with this important
community event."
The Salt Lake City Marathon is building partnerships with organizations
whose expertise and experience complement our program goal. The program is
sponsored by Intermountain Medical Group, Salt Lake City Corporation, Salt
Lake County, and Stretch-n-Grow.
"We excited to continue this important fitness program for Utah's children.
One of our largest goals for the Salt Lake City Marathon is to spur our
community on to a greater level of fitness. What better way to start than
with Utah's children," said Greg Reid, race director. "We are fortunate to
have great community partners in this effort to reach out to all school age
children. Intermoutain Medical Group, Salt Lake City Corporation, Salt Lake
County and Divine have been instrumental in helping us bring this to
fruition."
About Intermountain Medical Group
The Intermountain Medical Group is comprised of more than 480 physicians
along with their staffs who practice at over 100 Intermountain clinic,
InstaCare, KidsCare and WorkMed facilities. As part of the Intermountain
Healthcare family, the Medical Group meets the needs of younger patients
with board-certified pediatricians and family practice physicians. In
addition, KidsCare facilities provide after-hours pediatric care at clinics
along the Wasatch Front.
About the Salt Lake City Marathon
Salt Lake City Marathon has become one of the most spectacular new marathons
on the endurance racing circuit. The Salt Lake City Marathon was among 12
new favorites listed by Runner's World in the 2005 Marathon Guide in their
January article: "Small Wonders: Big Fun, Big Scenery, Big Rewards."
January's Competitor Magazine and Rocky Mountain Sports Magazine both tout
Salt Lake City as the "Best Race at Altitude." Top runners from around the
world will enjoy mild running weather in June, in a setting that surrounds
them with still snow-capped peaks contrasting with late spring blossoms, all
along a flat and slightly downhill 26.2 mile course.
Online registration is open at www.SaltLakeCityMarathon.com and is filling
quickly. Registration for the race is $80 for the Marathon, $55 for the
Half Marathon, $35 for the Bike Tour, $30 for the 5K and $12 for the IHC
MaraFit Kids Fitness Program after January 2, 2006. Group discounts are
available for 10 or more registering at the same time (mail in only).
More information on the Intermountain Kids Marathon by contacting Jen Murano
at or by calling (801) 412-6084.
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