
2010 marks the 10th running of the GO! St. Louis Marathon and Family Fitness Weekend, Missouri’s largest fitness event. In addition to the full and half-marathon events, there are plenty of activities for families and kids to enjoy some fit fun in the (hopefully) sun.
The marathon, which takes place on Sunday, April 11, will be preceded by a day of family fitness events on Saturday, April 10 in Forest Park. At 9:15 area school children will participate in the Read, Right and Run Marathon®, launched in 2001 to develop reading proficient, physically fit and community minded children by challenging them to READ 26 books, RIGHT the community with 26 good deeds, and RUN 26.2 miles over a six-month period. Participating K-5 students will run their final 1.2 miles and the middle-schoolers will run a 5K (3.1 miles). More than 30,000 area students have accepted the challenge since the program was established.
A series of Childrens Fun Runs will begin at 10:15 a.m. at Cricket Field, featuring four different events for children, including a “Diaper Dash” for toddlers and three races for children ages two to 10, a 50-yard dash, 100 yard dash or half mile run. Kids enjoy the thrill of victory from completing a fitness goal. Each child receives an event t-shirt and commemorative finisher’s medal. In past years, nearly 300 children have participated in one of the four different distances.
For all of the weekend’s exciting fitness activities, visit www.gostlouis.org.
By Amy Burger, Events Blogger for SmartParenting
Amy Burger is a mom, freelance writer and communications professional with nearly 20 years experience working in St. Louis. Her work has appeared in numerous publications and media outlets including STL Parent, Missouri Life magazine, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Town & Style and kdhx.org, among others. When she's not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two beautiful girls at home in Kirkwood.
See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.
The Preschool Science Series is an open exploration learning lab for young scientists, ages 18 months to 5 years and their families. Activities are designed around research that shows children learn best through play, inquiry and shared experiences with their parents and caregivers.
Discovery Club is an exploration of all kinds of science! Kids ages 7-11 will navigate through the sciences with projects, experiments and activities at this free program. Themes include robots, roller coasters, potato batteries and more.
Join the City of Sunset Hills Parks + Recreation Department, the Sunset Hills Conservation Foundation adn the Kiwwanis Club of Sunset Hills and Crestwood for an interactive evening of amazing machinery, music, and food! A variety of trucks, vehicles, and machines will be on display for guests of all ages to enjoy.
Explore Ballwin's parks with your toddler or preschooler with the Little Explorers program, held twice a month. Each Little Explorers outdoor class includes a craft, snack, and lots of activities to get you and your toddler moving and exploring!