Welcome to the JUST RUN Program

Wherever you are located, we are looking forward to partnering with you to promote fitness and healthy lifestyles in our chiildren and youth.  JUST RUN was developed so that it could be easily implemented by any leader in any locale.  Whether you are in Florida, New York, or California, WELCOME to JUST RUN!

The name "JUST RUN" epitomizes our guiding principles - ACTIVITY and SIMPLICITY.  Our major goal is to get as many children as possible RUNNING or WALKING or MOVING on a regular basis.  JUST RUN provides all of the tools necessary to make this possible.

IDEAS and SUGGESTIONS for a Successful Program

1.  Find a suitable location, facilities and times to hold group meetings and runs.

2.  We recommend measuring a 1/2 mile distance either around a field or school yard, or use a track, if available.  It does not have to be a flat area or even regular - obstacles add to the fun and variety.  You can download and create your own JUST RUN distance markers by clicking HERE.  The distance markers can be put on cardboard or wood and put in the ground or just taped to trees, buildings, etc.

3.  Mix up the locations and directions over time to add interest and variety.

4.  Although the program is non-competitive you may want to have each child get a base-line time in a mile run so that they can judge improvement.  It is best not to do this at the first meeting as the child may not yet be ready to cover a full mile. When you and the child feel ready, have them run, walk or do a combination for a full mile. Make sure each child knows their base-line mile time so that they can see improvement over time. 

5.  Use the downloadable parent permission/parent release form for EVERY child participating.

6.  Insure that every participant knows about proper hydration and drinking and make sure water is available for them.

7.  Suggest proper clothing and running shoes for running or walking.

8.  Each child should have the downloadable running log to record their supplemental mileage.

9.  Your group should meet two or three times a week if possible, and the children should be encouraged to run with their parents on the weekends as well.  Running miles with parents counts double in the JUST RUN Across the USA/Europe program.

10.  The more parent volunteers the better!  Encourage parents to become involved and participate in the group sessions with their children.

11.  On some days you should focus on increasing distance.  Most days should involve relays, drills, group runs, and other prepared games.  There is a wealth of information related to drills, fun activities, advice and program structure in the Training and Running Tips for Leaders section.

12.  Recommended drills to improve flexibility, balance, and strength, and to prepare young muscles to run without injury can be found HERE.

13.  Promote healthy snacks and food choices.

14.  Spend very little time talking to your group - keep them active and moving.  Try to talk while they are stretching or jumping or doing sit ups or push ups.

15.  Emphasize proper warm-up and warm-down techniques. Start each session with basic stretching and exercises like jumping jacks, sit-ups, and push-ups.  Let the children take turn leading the exercises.  Be sure to end each session with more basic stretching and exercises.

16.  If a family's financial issues prevent a child from having proper clothing or shoes for the program, make sure that they are committed to the program before seeking possible support from the JUST RUN program. 

17.  Encourage everyone to enter fun runs and races.  Consider putting on your own fun run.

18.  We encourage you to participate in the JUST RUN Across the USA/Europe program by using the JUST RUN website to tally your group's accumulated mileage.

19.  Just Deeds accumulate automatically, as well, and promote good citizenship.

20.  Just Taste is an educational and fun way to incorporate nutrition into your program.

Great suggestions from JUST RUN leaders can also be found in the Training and Running Tips for Leaders section.