Getting Started:

The Running Program for 2008 - 2009

By Martha Garriock

The 2008/09 JLT Kickstart for Health journey started on November 5th at our kick-off event where we invited interested participants to learn more about the program and get motivated by the stories of last year's participants. And we are off to a running start....on December 2nd, 18 Junior Leaguers and 20 young women from St. Alban's and Jane and Finch Boys and Girls club kickstarted their health by attending the first training session for the JLT Kickstart for Health Running Program.

Armed with their new shoes purchased by the Junior League, the first training session was led by Maddie White, our volunteer running coach, who taught us about safety and how to dress properly for training in the winter ! The group completed a 1.8 km route and will build on this base, training week over week so that all participants are strong and can complete their goal of a 5km run/walk or 10km race in Hamilton on March 29th.

This year we have 30 Junior Leaguers signed up to be Running & Walking Buddies and over 20 girls from the St. Alban's Annex location and Jane and Finch location. We have already doubled the JLTers, and youth participation numbers, and are ecstatic to have participants from a new Boys and Girls location. Learn more about JLT Kickstart for Health on our website at www.jltkickstart.com.