Hampton The Bears Youth Running Program’s goal has always been to provide area kids ages 7 to 14 with coaching and motivation, to improve their running, experience racing and have fun while doing something healthy. Today, with the focus on nutrition and combating childhood obesity, this 11-year-old program is even more essential to area children and their parents. The program was started in 1995 because area elementary-aged kids who were interested in running had no avenue through which to pursue it. Additionally, there was no feeder running program to the high schools, so kids who went out for cross country in the fall at Sussex County’s high schools had no experience, in contrast to kids in other counties who had youth running programs. Over the past 11 years, not only have the Bears touched the lives of over 400 kids, but it has become a huge feeder program to schools including Pope John, Kittatinny and North Warren high schools. Pope John senior and running phenom, Lara Heigis, of Layton, got her start with the Bears. “The Bears helped me so much before high school,” Heigis said. “It prepared me well for high school so I was able to compete, because through the Bears I learned how to race at a young age.” Through the Bears’ coaching, Heigis made it to the 2002 AAU Nationals at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. Today, she is one of the top high school runners on the East Coast, and is also trying to decide which College she will be running for. Kittatinny’s number one runner, senior captain, Sam McMullen, also got his start with The Bears. “Running with the Bears gave me a great advantage when I got to high school,” says McMullen. “ I ran in many races with the Bears and it really prepared me both physically and mentally. Most importantly, the message that I got from the Bears is that running is a lifetime sport.” Practices are held all fall from 5 to 6 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at Swartswood State Park, on Route 619 in Hampton. Practice starts with the kids stretching and doing jumping jacks and sit ups together, then they go for a group run. Here, kids are grouped with a volunteer coach according to their ability. The more advanced kids run further and faster, while the novices take slower, shorter routes. After the first run, the kids gather for what the coaches call “story time.” While the kids sip on water or Gatorade, one of the coaches gives a motivational or informational talk. After that, it’s time for speed. The kids are divided into teams for such drills as relays, the “all terrain drill,” something the coaches call “run around,” or one of many other speed-oriented workouts. Sports and competition are important in developing life skills in all children, says Kathie Rohsler, of Fredon, who has two kids involved in the program. “In addition to making and keeping my kids more physically fit, The Bears program has enabled them to strive to be the best they can be within their limits. Since they also participate in several other sports, learning how to run properly and use every part of their body to improve their motor skills has helped them become better athletes on the whole.” In addition to teaching kids about running, The Bears helps children develop self-confidence, self-esteem, commitment, focus, dedication, resolve, determination, motivation, sportsmanship and a healthy competitive spirit. It has also helped the parents. Over the years, Bears’ parents, like Stillwater’s Dianne Jones, have watched their kids run and gained an interest in the sport themselves. Jones’ daughter, Amanda, was part of the first year of The Bears and participated in the program until she went to Kittatinny High. “I used to sit on the bench at the park and watch the kids run,” Jones recalled. Then one day, she and another Bears parent, Vikki Mackey, decided to “give this running thing a try.” The following March, they entered their first 5-K race in Mount Olive and three years ago, Jones and Mackey ran in the San Diego Rock n’ Roll Marathon and in three weeks, Jones will run the Marine Corps Marathon. “I’d be a lot less healthy and have a lot less motivation for everything if Amanda hadn’t run with the Bears,” she said. Jackie Kaufman enrolled her boys, Nicholas and Matthew, in the Bears last fall. Though she had done crew in high school, Kaufman had never been a runner. That all changed last fall when she met high school friends at Long Beach Island and saw the annual 18-mile race go by. Her boys’ participation in The Bears was her catalyst, and seeing the race, her inspiration. In two weeks, Kaufman will run in this year’s LBI 18-Miler. Three races are held as part of Bears’ practice during the season: The Columbus Day Mile, The Halloween Mile (which features a post-race costume competition) and the Thanksgiving Mile. Additionally, The Bears have the opportunity to race each Sunday at Brundage Park, in Randolph, against other kids their age. Age groups are 7 and under, 9 to 10, 11 to 12 and 13 to 14. Though races are sometimes combined, girls compete against girls and boys against boys for scoring. In mid-November, Bears who so desire can compete in the AAU State Championships. If they place high enough in their age group race there, they will have the chance to go to Nationals, which is at Disney World this year. Former Columbia High School coach and avid area runner, Bruce Wask, of Fredon, is one of the program’s assistant coaches. “Volunteering to coach the Bears helps to fill a part of that full-time coaching niche that I am currently unable to do. It is very informal and flexible, which I think kids at this age need, and I get a kick out of watching them develop and begin to learn a little bit of what running is all about. It’s especially fun to see them progress, and begin to commit to becoming good runners.” Participants in The Bears pay $20 for the entire season. This includes all of the practices and the Brundage Park Races, a Bears Uniform shirt, as well as the in-practice races and lots of prizes throughout the season. The cost is so low because the organizers hold two running races, the June “Stillwater Stampede” and the December “Beach Blast” to subsidize the program. There are still a few openings in this year’s Bears Youth Running Program. Call 973-383-7933 or e-mail BearsRunningClub@aol.com for information.