Cochrane’s own Marathon Man is joining forces with the Alberta Medical Association (AMA), crusading to get youths active and fit.
Martin Parnell feels it is of utmost importance for youngsters, and anyone else for that matter, to fit a fitness routine into their lives. It’s why he’s a fan of the Alberta Medical Association’s Youth Run Club program in Alberta schools.
“They’re in over 200 schools right across the province. They’ve been going for about three years now,” Parnell says. “What they do is they support schools. They have T-shirts, they have information for kids.”
The beauty of the program is its simplicity and flexibility. There’s a fine line between piquing kids’ interest and driving them away when it comes to physical fitness expectations.
“It’s pretty flexible in terms of running. There aren’t really any set distances the kids have to do,” Parnell assures. “But it gets the kids active. It gets them moving, and they can be part of something. So this is a pretty encouraging endeavour by the Alberta Medical Association.”
The AMA is encouraged by Parnell’s ability to reach youngsters, so much so that the association’s president, Dr. Carl Nohr, asked Parnell to join the Youth Run Club as an ambassador alongside heavy hitters like Running Room founder John Stanton and Canadian triathlete Paula Findlay.
Absolutely no hesitation when Parnell answered, “yes” to the low-cost fitness program for schools.
“It’s something I’m certainly going to be visiting schools in Cochrane and talking to them about getting involved. It’s a very good initiative.”
If you want to learn more about the AMA Youth Run Club or want to register your school, visit: http://www.everactive.org/alberta-medical-association-youth-run-club
