Oakstead’s Obesity-Fighting Efforts Recognized by County

Oakstead Elementary School’s third annual Spring Sprint is right around the corner and Pasco County Commissioners want to make sure Land O’ Lakes knows all about it.

In an effort to raise awareness about the 5K and 1-mile fun run and the overall fight against childhood obesity, commissioners brought up the sprint during their Feb. 19 board meeting. The board approved a resolution that names March 16, 2013, Spring Sprint for a Healthier Generation Day in Pasco.

The annual 5K and 1-mile fun run grew out of Oakstead Elementary School’s run club, explained Terra Corraro, a physical education teacher at the Land O’ Lakes schools.

“At Oakstead Elementary, we have an incredible running club,” Corraro told commissioners. Students in the “club” are asked to log 26.2 miles, or the equivalent of a marathon over the course of several weeks. Students that achieve the goal are awarded with a T-shirt to show off their accomplishment.

“It’s amazing to see how these children will set their goals and accomplish their dreams,” Corraro said. “Spring Sprint came in (as a way) to bring out the community. Not only do we want our kids involved, we want our parents involved.”

Corraro said the intent is to get “everybody exercising.”

This year’s Spring Sprint takes place March 16 and is open to everyone in the community – not just Oakstead Elementary students and families. Registration information and pricing is available on the Spring Sprint website.

Some of the proceeds from the event benefit the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The alliance’s goal, according to the sprint website, is to “reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity by 2015, and to empower kids nationwide to make healthy lifestyle choices.”

The 5k portion of the race begins at 7:30 a.m. March 16 at Rasmussen College in Land O' Lakes, 18600 Fernview St. The fun run starts at 8:15 a.m.

For more information about the sprint, visit the event’s website.

What do you do to get your kids off the couch? Share your tips in the comments section.