Run like the wind kid!
Our fun Family and Youth running program takes place twice a year – Spring and Fall. The program is designed to teach kids ages 4-14 and Adult ‘beginning runners’ proper running form and habits as well as conditioning and stretching over the course of a 7 week period, with the goal to complete a 5K race at the end!
We encourage parents to participate in this program with their children and love to see families experience the joy of running, together!
Each runner is placed in a training group/team’ based on their age, ability, and fitness level, with each team having an adult experienced NWBRRC runner as their ‘Team Coach’. In addition to teaching the fundamentals of running for fitness and competition, we discuss the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
When in session, we meet every Saturday morning for 7 weeks at North Springs Community Park from 8:00-9:15 am.
The overall program is under the direction of Head Coach Melissa Schwartz and Asst Coaches Maida Velez-Kopet and Doug Eaton.
Program Structure- Saturday Training sessions:
- Warm up
- Dynamic Stretches + Strength training exercises
- Coached Main Workout. Runners break into their groups, and their Coach will lead them through a unique workout each week.
- Cool down stretches / Upcoming Week training review and Snack Time-
Throughout the program, there are special events scheduled that encourage everyone to try new things, and challenge their boundaries with regard to their level of fitness and ability!
Event details and schedule coming soon
Youth Running Head Coach
Melissa Schwartz: USATF Level 1 Certified
Schwartzm180@gmail.com • 954-856-5500
Coach Melissa has been coaching the Youth Running program and beginning adult runners for over 9 years. Her philosophy of training kids eager to run is to make the program not only challenging and rewarding, but most of all FUN. She strives to get to know the each child and inspire and motivate them to achieve their goals and become fit, well-rounded ‘athletes’!
Her personal experience includes over 15 years of competitive running, at distances from the mile to the half marathon, as well as Masters swimming, both pool and open water events.
She holds a USATF Level 1 coaching certification. Melissa is club coach as well as a long-standing board member with the NWBRRC.