General Information

Register early. In past years, there have been rewards given to the first 10 – 12 coaches who register their schools and then participate in the 2K event.

Fit-For-Fun is Minnesota’s first and largest school-based youth training program.  The program’s vision is based on providing elementary aged children with not only the opportunity to develop aerobic endurance, but to educate them as to why it is important to be fit, strong, and healthy.  This cognitive component is what makes Fit-for-Fun different from most of its contemporaries.  Many races today have children’s events; few have cognitive, fitness development and race components.

Fit-For-Fun celebrated its 20^th anniversary in 2007.  Over the years the Get-In-Gear Fit-For-Fun Youth Running Program has involved about 75-100 schools, home schools, and community based institutions. FFF has helped nearly 100,000 children achieve higher levels of health and self-esteem.

Fit -For-Fun was created in 1987 in response to the burgeoning crisis in youth wellness.  Elementary physical education programs alone cannot provide school-aged children the amount of movement opportunities to appropriately meet the challenges of changing lifestyles for both children and their parents.  The goal of Fit-For-Fun is to treat kids (and their parents) to a fun, educational running experience (including an actual race event, the Get-In-Gear 2K) with the hope of encouraging continued running and racing long after the Fit-For-Fun Program and the Get-In-Gear 2K event are over. 

The Fit-For-Fun Running Program is designed as both an in-school physical education and classroom wellness curriculum/unit of instruction, or as a before or after-school program.  Fit-For-Fun works well with community-based clubs, parks and recreation departments and/or YMCA club running programs.  Additionally, Fit-For-fun is a great fit as a physical education opportunity for home-schooled children.  Program emphasis is placed on the fun of aerobic exercise, developing personal and individual fitness goals, learning the important role aerobic activity plays not only in developing a healthy lifestyle, but also its role in helping kids with their academic and classroom learning. 

The Fit-For-Fun Program has both a coach’s handbook and curriculum (with lessons) and an accompanying parent handbook which helps parents guide their children to a healthy and well lifestyle.  

The coach’s handbook contains information on teaching methods, training methods, pediatric physiology and psychological, exercise and brain development, motor learning, injuries, nutrition, and lesson plans and fitness activities.  The parent handbook is a great tool to help parents make healthy exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle choices for their children. 

A key feature of Fit-For-Fun is the program’s support services.  You are not alone.  Someone is always available to consult and help coaches/teachers with lesson implementation, class or practice ideas AND REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE. 

Fit-For-Fun Program Goals

1. To introduce children and parents to the fun of recreational running.

2. To educated children and parents to the health benefits of aerobic fitness activities.

3. To help children and parents prepare for the actual running of a major Twin Cities running/race event.

Program Mission

To develop fit and healthy children who have a high level of functional and cognitive fitness, wellness, and health; which will allow them success in the gym, classroom, and in life...Emphasis is placed on running for individual enjoyment, and competing against oneself for fitness improvement. Individual effort and improvement are acknowledged and rewarded, not quantitative accomplishments. 

For more information and to register your school or organization please contact Paul Vogel at pvogel@isd622.org  or 651-702-8220 or 2680 Upper Afton Road, Maplewood MN 55119.