Campers across Miami-Dade are getting a running start on good health.
Sarah Rodriguez, 11, dashed across Westwind Lakes Park Wednesday morning.
“It’s fun,” she said as she kept pace with her friends.
Good thing. Now Sarah will be running, or walking, a mile every day for the rest of her Miami-Dade summer camp.
It’s all part of the Morning Mile program , which was dreamed up by fitness lover Fitz Koehler, who gave the kids a pep talk before they chased the mile marker.
“Who wants to live to be a hundred?” she asked.
Kids from six to 14 responded enthusiastically. Koehler told them it’s possible if they live healthy, active lives, starting now.
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“Fitness is not something you do to get in shape for a wedding,” said Koehler. She wants to make it part of kids’ everyday lives when they’re young.
Koehler teamed up with AvMed Health to provide music and necklaces for kids to mark miles of success.
“Oh yeah!” said Sarah, showing off hers.
Kids also heard from some motivational speakers like Miami-Dade County Chairman Joe Martinez, who ran and joked along side the kids.
Now 4000 campers at parks across the county will start off their summer mornings tackling the mile.
To get involved in the free program, go to www.morningmile.com.
