“The HKRS mission is important to me because as a health and wellness professional and a father of two young kids, I have dedicated myself to the betterment of the community around me and the best place to start is with my children and their friends. I have been a volunteer and coordinator for HKRS for over 4 years, and I think that the organization offers the perfect balance between fun outdoor exercise and light competition for all ages, and I hope that my experience in the health and wellness industry and previous work with kids can be a benefit for the HKRS team. “

“I look forward to every race day as a Community Coordinator for Healthy Kids Running Series. There is nothing more inspiring than seeing the runners’ smiling faces as they cross the finish line and hearing how happy they are when they beat their best time! Whether they are 2 years old and running the 50 yard dash or 14 and running the mile, it’s incredible to see the kids progress over the 5 week Series! I’m a Community Coordinator for HKRS because I love the positive impact it has on our children, families and community.”

“My name is Kylie Schell and I am the community coordinator from Carthage, NY (WAY up near the Canadian border). During the day, I am a school social worker and all other hours of the day, I am a mom to three pretty amazing kids. I just finished my 4th series/2nd year as a Community Coordinator, and I love it. I decided to bring HKRS to Carthage because my oldest was steering away from traditional team sports and really took an interest in running. Now, all three of my children participate, including my 5-year-old with Autism in the Challenger division. Simply put, THEY are my why. They are the reason I do this.”

“The mission of HKRS is important to me because I believe in power of self confidence at a young age and building a solid foundation for lifetime to believe in one’s self. I love the community unity that HKRS provides and the smiles of each child once they have run their hearts out!”

“Participating in running has had a positive impact on my physical and mental health while providing a sense of community. HKRS gives me the opportunity to engage with local families that are working toward living a healthier lifestyle by introducing them to a positive running experience. I believe this program brings tremendous value to our community because it unites groups of like-minded individuals who want to learn more about healthy habits such as nutrition, physical activity and a stronger connection to their community.”

“I love to share my love of running with others; it’s good for your mental and physical health and I want others to realize this! I have coached and paced friends and run with my kids and nephews in their first races. My passion for running was taken to a whole new level when I started HKRS Chandler in 2014; seeing the joy & sense of accomplishment in the runners & witnessing their parents’ pride is amazing. I love seeing the kids grow season over season & watching them improve and achieve and grow to love the sport that I call my own.”

“My family and I have been actively involved with HKRS since 2017. HKRS easily became one of my families favorite seasonal, Sunday traditions. The atmosphere that each series creates is unmatched in their love and dedication to build a community of healthy kids, that try their best win or lose, no matter their ability level. HKRS provides a consistent environment full of passion, kindness, fun, and possibilities for every runner and their families.”

“I was introduced to Healthy Kids Running Series in the Fall of 2012 when I was searching for a running activity for my 5-year old son. I was immediately captivated by the positive atmosphere and the smiling faces of the kids when we attended our first HKRS race day. Running is a great activity that allows the runners to set personal goals, requires independent effort and is fueled by competition, but it also has a component that thrives as a group with the support and encouragement from the other runners and the families. This is why I love HKRS. Each and every race day, regardless of the weather, is full of kids giving their best with the steady cheers and encouragement from friends, family and other runners. Seeing the parents prepare and encourage their kids, and watching the growth of the runners in self-confidence, endurance and sportsmanship is exciting and rewarding. I am blessed to be an HKRS Community Coordinator and to be able to offer this program in New Cumberland, PA.”

“My “why”: Running was a big part of my life before I had kids, and I decided to pursue a “second” career in the health, fitness, and wellness industry after my youngest was born. Now that I’m a mom, I see how very important it is to encourage kids to be active in any way, shape, or form. As parents, we’re up against some pretty serious competition with the multitude of screens available, but if we set the good example by embracing fitness as a family, we can hopefully set our kids up for a healthy future. I love that Healthy Kids Running Series is about fitness – running in particular – as a complete package – not just the competitive aspect of running, but also the health benefits, the way it makes us feel better about ourselves, and the fact that it can be FUN.”