Deem, Miami Track to lead Morning Mile
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — University of Miami director of track and field & cross country Amy Deem, who led Team USA’s track and field team at the Olympic Games in London, along with track student-athletes from the University of Miami and Olympic hurdler Bershawn Jackson, will lead hundreds of children from Miami-Dade Parks’ Fit2Play Summer Camps to kick-off the 2013 Morning Mile on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, beginning at 10:00 a.m., at Goulds Park located at 11350 SW 216th Street in Miami.
“We are excited to participate in such a worthwhile event,” Deem said “Health and fitness is so important for our young people and this event will give them an opportunity to interact with athletes who excel in a healthy lifestyle.”
The Morning Mile, developed by Fitzness International and sponsored by AvMed Health Plans, is being expanded to all of Miami-Dade Parks’ 42 Fit2Play Summer Camps. Children begin their day with a morning run, jog or walk. For every five miles, they receive collectible necklace charms. Last year, campers logged over 26,000 miles.
“The Morning Mile program has been a tremendous addition to our summer camp curriculum,” said Jack Kardys, Director of Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces. “We’re grateful to AvMed Health Plans, the University of Miami’s track and field teams and Olympian Bershawn Jackson for their continued commitment to the health of our community.”
To further incentivize healthy and active living among children, the non-profit Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade will launch the “100 for 100 Challenge.” For every child who runs 100 miles over the course of the summer as part of the Morning Mile program, $100 will be donated by local corporations to the Parks Foundation’s Fit2Play Scholarship Fund, and matched 100-percent. The Fit2Play Scholarship Fund provides disadvantaged children scholarships to attend Miami-Dade Parks’ after-school and summer camp programs at no cost.
“It’s my hope that businesses in Miami-Dade will follow in the footsteps of AvMed Health Plans and support our community’s kids,” said Dick Anderson, President of the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade and former Miami Dolphins Safety. “The ‘100 for 100 Challenge’ is a great motivator for children and corporations alike.”
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