Cowtown Marathon, Thanks For Helping Our Children

Last week I helped the Cowtown Marathon hand out running shoes to the students at the school I adopted many years ago. It was a blast seeing the excitement on the kids’ faces, kind of like Christmas in February.

The staff goes out to 90 Fort Worth schools and community centers to give away 5,000 pairs of shoes. Kudos to the Marathon for this wonderful work.

All proceeds generated by the Marathon are donated to the Children’s Activities for Life & Fitness (C.A.L.F.) program. Over $200,000 is raised to pay for these shoes, race entries to the 5K race just for children this weekend, and support for our kids. That’s amazing and possibly life-changing.

I’m proud to be a member of its council since it began in 2009 and a big supporter so when I heard that it was starting a running camp last summer, I sponsored it. I’m excited to hear that this year’s camp will reach even more children.

I strongly believe in C.A.L.F.’s mission of promoting active lifestyles for our children. And just as important, it encourages them to continue to exercise, eat health foods, and adopt good habits as they become adults. This is so badly needed.

The Cowtown Children’s 5K was named as the top kids running event in the U.S. several years ago and it’s easy to see why the Cowtown Marathon staff is so highly rated.

Character through running

On a related note, the actor Chuck Norris spoke in Fort Worth Saturday to area Republicans at the Lincoln’s Day dinner. He started a foundation called Kickstart Kids in the Houston area where he lives that tries to stop youth from joining gangs by teaching them martial arts. Character through karate, he calls it.

Great idea. And running builds character too. Children who become runners will no doubt live richer and more productive lives. They are bound to be disciplined, fit, healthy, and succeed.

And we have to combat the rising rate of childhood obesity. According to a recent study, almost one-third of Texas children are obese or overweight, higher than the national average. This is a serious problem we have to fight.

My love for this event

The Cowtown Marathon was the first marathon I ran and got me started later (when I was almost 50) in my 50 states completion so it has a special place in my heart. And it reminds me that I don’t like to quit, as I’d only trained to run the half marathon but hated to stop.

Last year I was delighted to win the grandmaster (ages 60 and up) award for the 5K race on Saturday and place third in my age group for the half marathon on Sunday. I’ve run most of Cowtown’s races multiple times since I moved to Fort Worth in 1979. This is a superior organization that has helped changed the lives of many people here in North Texas.

This weekend

If youstill want to register online for any of the races, Tuesday is the last day to do it. Click here for more information.

If any of my clients want to run the 5K race, please let me know now and I’ll pay for your race registrations.

Good luck to the staff, children and all runners this weekend! It’s a very exciting time to be in our wonderful city. Come cheer on the runners in the Trinity Park/Cultural District on Saturday and the longer distance runners throughout Fort Worth on Sunday morning.

I’ll be again volunteering to help out this weekend and will see these children as they finish their race.

And consider putting a pair of shoes and running a few blocks. It might change your life too.

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