Courtesy: event press release

Houston-area sixth, seventh and eighth graders are getting pumped up for this year's Texas Children's Hospital Kids Fun Run 2003, presented by Houston Credit Unions as part of the hp houston marathon weekend.

More than 6,000 students from 13 school districts and 72 schools around Houston will participate, making the event the second largest youth run in the United States. Students have been participating in an eight-week training program for the 2-mile noncompetitive race scheduled for 8 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 18.

The free race was founded to promote physical activity among area youth. Only students who have registered through their schools are eligible to participate in the run.

"The training program and run are great opportunities for youth to see that physical activity can be fun, create a sense of accomplishment, and can establish a foundation for a healthy lifestyle at the same time," said Dr. Albert Hergenroeder, medical director of Texas Children's Kids' Fun Run and chief of the Texas Children's adolescent and sports medicine clinic. "Texas Children's goal with the Fun Run is to encourage children and adolescents to incorporate physical activity into their everyday lives."

Hergenroeder also is head of Baylor College of Medicine's adolescent medicine and sports medicine section in the department of pediatrics.

Each student receives a T-shirt and upon completion, a medal - regardless of how fast he or she runs. Children with special health-care needs, such as those requiring wheelchairs or other assistance also may participate in the event. The run will be at the George R. Brown Convention Center, using part of the course for the hp houston marathon, which takes place the following day.

2003 marks the fourth year for the Texas Children's Kids' Fun Run. Before the Kids' Fun Run, Texas Children's supported the Mayor's Cup Run for three years.

For more information on the Texas Children's Hospital Kids' Fun Run 2003, contact Texas Children's Community Relations at 832- 824-2480 or visit www.texaschildrenshospital.org.