Sierra club participates in chidren’s marathon

On Dec. 2 a group of 28 Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School students huddled around Ahwatukee Foothills marathoner David Allison eager to ask questions and learn pacing tips from the first Arizona finisher of last year’s P.F. Chang’s Rock 'n’ Roll Arizona Marathon.

Allison met with the group, Caring Kids Club, to motivate them on their journey to complete the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Kids Rock run.

“The kids will log 25.2 miles over the course of 10 weeks, completing their final mile on Jan. 12 in Tempe just like the marathoners will on Jan. 13,” Caring Kids Club sponsor Monica Spitza said.

The Caring Kids Club, a group of Sierra students who seek out events and activities that are charitable and cultural, log miles each week and meet every Sunday for training at the school.

“Training is run by the parents and consists of running drills, running games, goal setting and bringing in motivational speakers like David,” Spitza said. “To have an athlete of his stature take time to show his support and encouragement to the kids and their running is quite an honor.”

Allison, who runs with and coaches various groups throughout Phoenix, said he enjoys coaching kids because it allows him to be goofy and have fun, yet build a structure for the children.

“I was a teacher for eight years, so I try to make it fun for them,” Allison said. “I teach them that running is an individual sport and to race at a pace that is good for them. Sometimes that is hard for kids to understand because they are always going at 100 mph, but I give them praise for running the same pace rather than running fast.”

The PCH Kids Rock run is not a timed event. Children ages 6 to 12 compete against themselves and their own personal goals. The race begins at Tempe Beach Park and ends at Arizona State University’s Sun Devil Stadium.

“Our goal is to help the kids understand the many benefits of running and exercising all while learning how to set personal goals for themselves, work hard to obtain them and develop healthy habits that they will hopefully carry with them,” Spitza said.

Kids also have the option to only participate in the one-mile run Jan. 12. Every participant will be given a race number, T-shirt, goodie bag, free entrance to the marathon headliner concert and a finisher’s medal.

Registration is $25 per individual and $20 for individuals in groups of more than 20 runners.

For more information, visit www.rnraz.com/kids_rock.html.