HOOVER, Alabama - Bluff Park Elementary School in Hoover is one of 59 schools across the United States to receive a grant of up to $2,500 from the ING U.S. retirement, investment and insurance company to promote running, the company announced today.

The school will receive $1,000 immediately and up to $2,500 based on the level of participation in the school's running program, ING officials said.

"ING U.S. is committed to supporting education and offering a solution to educators who are dedicated to helping their students get active and reduce childhood obesity," said Rhonda Mims, president of the ING U.S. Foundation and head of the ING U.S. Office of Corporate Responsibility. "Childhood obesity is an important social issue, and we realize schools need additional resources to help fully engage their students in enjoying and leading healthy lifestyles. Through ING Run For Something Better school-based running programs, we are empowering children across the nation to take charge of their health."

Only one other ING Run For Something Grant was given out in in Alabama this year -- to the Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools for elementary and middle school students.

Bluff Park Elementary plans to use its money to help support a running program the school started during the previous school year, physical education teacher Beth Uhlman said.

Every student in the K-5 school participates in a fitness program that includes running at least one day a week, Uhlman said. The school plans to hold two 1-mile runs this school year - a Jingle Bell Run in December and a Shamrock Shuffle in the spring, she said. Each student will be encouraged to improve their time between the two runs, she said.

As students reach different milestones in the number of miles they run over the school year, they receive different-colored plastic tokens in the shape of a foot that can be attached to their shoestrings, Uhlman said. The awards go all the way up to 100 miles, she said.

"The motivation for the students is the toe token, but ultimately to me, the greatest reward is a healthy heart," Uhlman said. "That's the most important thing."

Bluff Park Elementary School in Hoover, Ala.

Bluff Park Elementary also this week kicked off a Panther Runners club for students who want to come early to school on Tuesday or stay late on Thursday for additional runs, Uhlman said. So far, 93 students have registered for the club, she said.

"It's just been a huge hit, and the kids are excited about it, wanting to run more days than we do," Uhlman said. "If they're getting excited about physical activity, then it's working."

Cade Franklin, a Bluff Park fifth-grader, ran in a 5K at Shades Baptist Church and participated in the Mercedes Kids Marathon last year. He said he signed up for the Panther Runners club this year so he could do more.

"I like to run, and it sounded cool," Cade said. "You just get to come in the morning (and afternoons) and be with your friends and get to run."

Cade, who also plays football, basketball and baseball, said he runs almost every day now, typically going 3-5 miles per week in total. "I like to be outside and like to be healthy," he said. "It's just fun to run and be active."

If the school can get approval from the city, Uhlman hopes to have a Family 5K and 1-mile fun run at Bluff Park Elementary near the end of the year, she said.

Money from the grant will help buy the toe tokens and promotional materials needed for the runs, Uhlman said.

Bluff Park Elementary has now received more than $11,000 in grants for its physical education program this year, including a $1,000 running club grant and $8,600 Healthy Schools grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Uhlman said.

The Healthy Schools grant is being used to buy new fitness equipment and to promote physical activity and proper nutrition, she said.

The new Run for Something Better grant from ING U.S. is being presented in partnership with the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. A review board from that group assessed grant applications from nearly 300 schools across the country to determine the best grant recipients.

Last year, grants were given to 50 schools in 26 states, providing 7,318 students the opportunity to discover running as a way to increase physical activity and learn how to make healthy lifestyle choices. Students participating in the program logged 128,045 miles, according to ING U.S.

ING U.S. has committed more than $4 million for the running program grants nationally.

Cheryl Richardson, senior director of programs at the American Alliance for Healthy, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, said the ING grant program helps children achieve the minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity they need every day and introduces them to an activity they can enjoy for a lifetime.

Applications for the 2014 ING Run For Something Better grants will be accepted starting in December. See the grant program's website for more information.

To see more news from Hoover, go to www.al.com/hoover



Story updated at 4:02 p.m. to correct name of 5K race in which Cade Franklin participated.