Hundreds of Northern Nevada elementary and middle school students put on their walking shoes this spring and racked up the miles during the Reno-Tahoe’s first year in the “world Fit” walking program.
The RTWGC brought “World Fit” to Reno’s Glenn Duncan Elementary School and Sparks Middle School. Students walked daily from the middle of April until just before Memorial Day, logged their miles on the “World Fit’ website and were rewarded with medals and certificates at the end of the six-week program.
“We’re so proud of the effort the students put in at Glenn Duncan and Sparks Middle,” Paul Heglar, RTWGC Youth Sports Coordinator, said. “They really were excited to get out on the track each day.”
“World Fit” was developed by Swimming Olympian Gary Hall, Sr. (1968, 72, 76), aimed at combating childhood obesity by promoting fitness and the Olympic values through a six-week Spring walking program. Elementary and middle school students in grades 3-12, as well as teachers, family and friends participated. Olympians and Paralympians adopted schools to mentor and teach the importance of lifelong fitness and the Olympic values of perseverance, respect and fair play. Three-time alpine skiing Olympian and Squaw Valley resident Tamara McKinney and 2000 U.S. rowing Olympian Torrey Palmer, now a Washoe County School District teacher, walked with students at both schools on the opening day of the program and shared their Olympic experiences.
“It is an incredible honor to represent one’s country in the Olympics. By establishing “World Fit,” wanted to create that same sense of motivation, fitness and pride that Olympians feel except at a much younger age,” says Gary Hall. “Hopefully, these children will walk away inspired and confident they can achieve a healthy, active life.”
Over 30,000 students across the United States were anticipated to take part in this year’s “World Fit” walk. Since the first walk in 2009, 23,614 students from 43 different schools across America have logged in a total of 2,872,900 miles…numbers that certainly aim high and set records.
Find out more about the program by visiting online. World Fit is a collaborative online environment that facilitates the involvement of Olympians, families, students and helps community leaders work more effectively at getting involved.
