Your school can also have or enhance its running program with a grant from ING Run For Something Better® . In partnership with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), the ING RFSB School Awards Program will provide a minimum of fifty (50) up to $2,500 grants to schools that desire to establish a school-based running program or expand an existing one. Applications are due May 1st, 2011! You can click here to apply today!

“I loved running club, after sitting in a chair for eight hours, it was nice to be able to go outside and run around. I enjoy moving and buzzing around all the time. I want to be in running club for the rest of my life!” -Lydia, 8th grade ING running club member

Last year students, like Lydia, discovered how much fun it is to run. Through an ING sponsored running club, students gained running skills and developed self-confidence. Their schools were given $2,000 for equipment or other needs and got to have a blast helping kids to start running.

Research shows that physical activity improves self esteem, school performance and overall well being. Through the ING program, your students can carry the skills and confidence they have earned into every part of their life. When asked if running club was good experience for her son, a parent from Westside Elementary school told us, “Running club has made him aware that he is not expected to be perfect at something the first time. He has also learned that if he is just willing to try, he can accomplish more than he’d thought.”

These changes are what we strive for at NASPE, and we would love to see more kids getting the opportunity to participate in a running club. The ING Run For Something Better® program targets K-8th grade students and lasts at least 8 weeks. NASPE wants every school to participate. Start running to the nearest computer now! Applications are due May 1!