The alarming rise in childhood obesity, and the lack of physical activity in our youth, prompted the organizers of the Big Sur International Marathon to create JUST RUN®. JUST RUN assists schools and youth organizations by offering a SOLUTION, an ongoing, vital youth fitness program to create lifestyle changes. This highly acclaimed program was honored and given a Gold Medal by Governor Schwarzenegger's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports for "positively impacting the health and well-being of California's children and youth."
JUST RUN is clearly a leader in youth fitness and its success has led to the expansion and implementation of JUST RUN throughout California and in many states, as well. To protect the Big Sur Marathon and to insure the quality and the credibility of the program, the following forms must be submitted for participation:
- Updated/completed Affiliate Volunteer Application
- Affiliate Liability Release Form
- Certificate of Insurance
Complete instructions are found in the “Licensing and Affiliate Program Information” section of this website. Once the required information is received, you will be ready to get your program “up and running!”
JUST RUN is an excellent supplement to existing physical educational programs. Also, it is a solution for schools seeking a physical activity program for either during or after school use. Schools, teachers, leaders and/or parents who are interested should contact Susan Love at the Big Sur Marathon office at 831.625.6226 or via email at susanwlove@sbcglobal.net.
The JUST RUN program offers many features and benefits including:
1. JUST RUN across the United States and Europe – JUST RUN Across the United States and JUST RUN Across Europe allow classes to cooperatively accumulate mileage in “virtual runs” that are tracked on the website. Hundreds of geographic, historical, nutritional, and fun locations are web-linked throughout these educational journeys. This program feature lends itself for use as a history or geography lesson; the children can study the locations that their group passes through on their way across the USA or through Europe. The children also develop a sense of pride as they contribute their personal mileage to assist the group in reaching a common goal.
The website www.justrun.org provides a focal point for students and volunteers to record their accumulated mileage in an imaginary run mapped across the United States or Europe.
The main screen for JUST RUN Across the USA and Europe shows the total number of children enrolled, the number of JUST DEEDS earned, and the total number of miles run by all JUST RUN participants. The following web page shows an example of a child and his school/group, indicating the total number of JUST DEEDS and miles run for the whole group, and also for that individual child. Children who reach certain milestones for deeds and mileage earn incentives and a T-shirt, as this child did. You can also see the path across the United States, with their current position marked by the JUST RUN shoe in the vicinity of New York City.. The next screen shows the links to all the points the children in the school have passed on their journey. The last screen shows the JUST DEEDS log and running log for this child, Connor.
2. Individually the children experience the benefits of physical activity and stretching, progress at their own speed in a safe, non-competitive environment, experience pride in personal accomplishment and goal setting. Most important, they learn life-long positive habits while having FUN!
3. The website provides all of the information necessary to set the program in motion. Also included are promotional materials, all necessary and helpful forms, fitness tips for students and volunteer leaders, diet and nutrition advice, local events and activities for students, a downloadable running log, and a way to compare your school or group’s progress with others in the program.
4. JUST DEEDS - in conjunction with running and physical activity, this program feature promotes good citizenship and good deeds. CONGRATULATIONS certificates are provided when students accumulate mileage totals up to the marathon distance of 26 miles and have performed 26 acts of good citizenship. At 50 miles, a JUST RUN shirt is awarded.
5. Depending upon locale, the JUST RUN team may be able to provide clinics and demonstrations and/or assembly presentations at your school or organization site. If possible, training for affiliates/volunteers is available.
6. JUST RACE – The Big Sur International Marathon provides funds to schools based on school participation in the JUST RUN! Just Kids 3K run on the Saturday prior to marathon day in late April. Another JUST RUN! Just Kids 3K is held prior to the BSIM half marathon in November. We are encouraging and actively working with other race directors to add fun runs and races for children to each adult race and to establish separate children only races and fun runs.
7. JUST RUN FROM DRUGS – this program emphasizes a drug and smoke free lifestyle and encourages children to develop healthy habits.
8. JUST RUN encourages healthy eating and the website offers a vast amount of nutritional information. Leaders are encouraged to collaborate with local health organizations and nutritional experts to achieve health and fitness goals.
9. JUST WALK OR ROLL – the JUST RUN program includes children with disabilities or those who want to accumulate mileage and be active by walking or who are wheel chair bound.
10. JUST RUN WITH YOUR PARENTS – promotes family participation. Children are rewarded when other family members join them in physical activity.
11. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE for children who need running shoes or clothes may be possible.
12. IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE OF MONTEREY COUNTY you are welcome to participate! If you are interested in participating, after reviewing the website and the many features of JUST RUN, please refer to the section “Licensing and Affiliate Program Information.” Although we can only provide free incentives to schools and youth organizations in Monterey County, we can provide use of the website, brochures, posters, and assistance. We are looking forward to working with you to promote youth fitness in your locale. Feel free to E-mail Susan Love at susanwlove@sbcglobal.net or Mike Dove at mnjdove@aol.com with questions or for additional information.
13. IF YOU ARE A MONTEREY COUNTY AFFILIATE/LEADER for the JUST RUN program, you will receive the following from the Big Sur International Marathon’s JUST RUN program:
a. Access to the comprehensive JUST RUN website and the many features of the program, along with information for children, parents, teachers and group leaders on leading active lifestyles and eating properly.
b. A school visit and orientation presentation for the children and group leaders from the JUST RUN team will be arranged if possible.
c. Incentive awards for participating children in grades K – 8. A Mile Marker chart, bookmark, and plastic foot will be provided when they begin the program, followed by mileage tokens when they reach their goals of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75, and 100 miles. The children receive wristbands when the reach accumulated mileage of 26, 50, 75, and 100.
Certificates of CONGRATULATIONS for those accumulating 26 miles of running/walking and performing 26 “JUST DEEDS,” and Shirt awards for those accumulating 50 miles of activity and doing 26 "JUST DEEDS," which are acts of good citizenship or good deeds.
Incentives for high school programs: Students will receive Be A Champion card from Running USA when they begin. When they reach 25 miles they will receive GO FOR THE GOLD JUST RUN shoe laces, followed by a JUST RUN shirt at the 50-mile mark and an entry for the Big Sur International Marathon’s 5K or the Run Forrest Run 5K when they accumulate 100 miles.
d. Training session for leaders in JUST RUN website use and implementation of the program.
e. Online and phone advice .
f. A password for using the JUST RUN across the USA or Europe features of the program.
g. Colorful JUST RUN posters for each classroom.
h. JUST RUN brochures explaining the program.
i. JUST RUN shirts for the group leaders.
j. Goal Races organized by the Big Sur International Marathon. The JUST RUN! Just Kids 3K races are held in conjunction with the November half marathon and the April marathon. Visit the “JUST RUN Special Interest” section of the website for additional events and races.
FOR A VISUAL PRESENTATION OF THE JUST RUN PROGRAM, PLEASE VISIT "SIGHTS AND SOUNDS" IN THE SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROGRAM - for Affiliates/Leaders
Requirements of the Program (as found in the Affiliate Liability Release Form Exhibit B)
The following conditions have been established for Affiliates to ensure successful implementation of the JUST RUN program and rewarding experiences for participants:
1. Affiliate and or additional leaders, who may be either employees or volunteers, shall be responsible for operating the day-to-day activities of the Program.
2. Affiliates will familiarize themselves with the program, advice, activities, and opportunities on the JUST RUN website.
3. Affiliate shall provide a safe activity area for the participating children.
4. Affiliate shall promote physical activity, with each participating group, at least twice a week, either during or after school.
5. Affiliate will encourage children to exercise.
6. Affiliate will record mileage for their group(s) and for individual children on a regular basis, and maintain it on the JUST RUN website.
7. Affiliate will encourage additional fun physical activity, good nutrition, and JUST DEEDS, as described on the website.
8. Affiliate will encourage children to enter, prepare for, and participate in Goal Races, if such are available.
9. Affiliate and other Program Leaders shall encourage participants to provide a signed “JUST RUN Family and Student Contract” found in the Forms section of the JUST RUN Website.
10. Affiliate will encourage each child to complete the “Before and After Child/Family Evaluation.”
11. At the end of the school year or end of the Program cycle, Affiliate will complete a JUST RUN End of Year Compliance Form (sample attached and also available in the Forms section of the JUST RUN website).
12. Affiliate must obtain from each child’s parent or guardian a signed Permission Form (“Parental Consent, Release and Indemnity Agreement) prior to the child’s participation. If the school or other entity under whose auspices the program is operated has obtained an omnibus Parental Consent Form that covers the Just Run activity and releases Affiliate and BSIM from liability a separate form is not required. Affiliate must verify that a signed form has been obtained for each participating child.
13. Affiliate will not charge children for participation.
14. Affiliate shall be familiar with the portions of the BSIM website that provide guidance for handling medical and other emergencies. Affiliate shall also require all Leaders to be familiar with such procedures.
"The future of any society depends upon the character and competence of its young. In order to develop their competence, young people need guidance to provide them with direction and a sense of purpose. They need relationships that embody and communicate high standards. They need to experience activities that are challenging, inspiring, and educative.
Many of the conditions for the development of character and competence in the young have deteriorated in recent years. Instead of finding guidance and clear standards, young people often encounter inattention, low expectations, cynicism, or community conflict. In many places, families, schools, religious institutions, and neighborhoods have weakened. Mass media transmit messages that are confusing at best and corrupting at worst. All of these conditions must be changed if we are to create a society where youngsters can attain their full potential. The future of our society depends upon it."
From The Youth Charter, by William Damon, Director of the Stanford Center on Adolescence.
