White House OMB Director Peter Orszag and New York Road Runners Highlight Importance of Regular Physical Activity at NYC School

As part of White House Let’s Move campaign, Director Orszag joins Mighty Milers youth for run

Director Orszag cites Mighty Milers as high-impact national model that gets kids moving in schools across the nation

NYRR Press Release

New York, June 16, 2010—Today White House Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag joined New York Road Runners’ Mighty Milers for a run at PS 128 in Washington Heights to help the program reach a new milestone—2 million miles run this school year. During the visit, Director Orszag, a member of the Obama cabinet, stressed the importance of regular physical activity and drew attention to Mighty Milers as a successful, low-cost, high-impact program that helps prevent obesity and builds self-esteem in kids.

            “It’s good to be here today and run a few laps with the Mighty Milers,” said Director Orszag. “This program is very effective at getting young people motivated to exercise and to live healthier lives. Might Milers is an example of a low-cost, high-impact solution for getting kids active and moving. Through its work, the program is advancing the Administration’s agenda to fight childhood obesity.”

Director Orszag’s visit to New York City is part of the larger Let’s Move campaign, which aims to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation. Throughout the summer Let’s Move will dispatch White House cabinet officials to cities nationwide to promote the campaign. Director Orszag is actively involved in the strategy and planning meetings of the Let’s Move campaign, and has spoken and written extensively on how obesity contributes to rising health care costs.

NYRR’s running-based youth programs, including Mighty Milers, currently serve nearly 100,000 children in hundreds of schools and community centers in New York City and in all 50 states. NYRR is actively engaged in developing strategies that, in coordination with the Let’s Move campaign, will fight childhood obesity and have a lasting impact on the health of our children. 

 “Physical activity and fitness is a central component of our efforts to combat childhood obesity,” said Mary Wittenberg. “Mighty Milers is a great example of how a low-cost program can make a significant impact in promoting children’s physical fitness, character development, and personal achievement.  We are delighted to have Director Orszag join us today and we committed to working with him, other federal agencies, and partners around the country to solve this epidemic once and for all.”

In keeping with the vision of making running a part of every child’s school day, NYRR empowers schools and youth centers in low-income communities to introduce running-based activities to large numbers of children by providing acclaimed programs, comprehensive training and ongoing support - for free.  Tens of thousands of youth of all athletic abilities are encouraged to learn healthy habits and reach their personal fitness goals within the team environment of NYRR’s three primary children’s programs: Young Runners, Mighty Milers, and the DOE Developmental Track & Field Series (managed and co-funded by NYRR).  

NYRR events, such as weekend races, program meets, and Youth Jamborees, provide many additional opportunities for children to engage in friendly competition with their peers and to set goals for accomplishment.  Supplementary program resources help sites maximize program value, including A Running Start, which enables coaches, teachers and parents, regardless of experience, to instruct children in the fundamentals of running; Active Eating lesson plans, which combine grade appropriate movement activities with nutritional information; and the Mighty Milers Fitness Fundraiser, a healthy alternative to bake sales based on running and walking. 

New York Road Runners

Headquartered in New York City, New York Road Runners is dedicated to growing the sport of running, enhancing health and fitness for all, and meeting our community’s needs. Our goal is to leverage the expertise acquired in our 50+ year history to empower all people of all ages to live fitter, healthier lives through participation in our races, community events, instruction and training resources, and youth programs. Our races and other fitness programs draw upwards of 300,000 people annually. The ING New York City Marathon, NYRR’s premier event, is the largest and most inclusive marathon in the world, attracting the world’s top professional runners and raising over $20 million for charity annually. NYRR’s running-based youth programs, which currently serve nearly 100,000 children in hundreds of schools and community centers, promote children’s physical fitness, character development, and personal achievement in underserved communities.

 

 

 

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