Spokane, WA—Nearly a thousand young runners will test their legs and determination this coming Monday, October 12, at the Bloomsday All City Elementary Cross Country Meet at Comstock Park. The meet is the culmination of the Elementary Cross Country Program launched in Spokane elementary schools this fall by Active4Youth, a nonprofit that works to provide after-school sports programs for Spokane-area children to combat childhood obesity.
“We’re excited to be part of this program, and we’re gratified that the Lilac Bloomsday Association agreed to sponsor the All City Meet,” said Mike Bresson, Active4Youth founder. “Bloomsday’s mission is directly aligned with the intent of the Cross Country Program, so the partnership seemed like a natural fit.”
This will be the first All City Cross Country Meet for Spokane elementary students since 2003, when the Spokane School District discontinued after school sports competition due to budget constraints. Active4Youth was able to re-launch the program this fall after receiving funds from the Inland Northwest Community Foundation and the Charlotte Martin Foundation. Bloomsday’s sponsorship has also been crucial in restarting the program.
“Bloomsday is really pleased to be the title sponsor of the meet,” said Lilac Bloomsday Association President Jerry O’Neal. “I can’t think of a better way for Bloomsday to support fitness in the community.”
The Cross Country Program was offered in all 34 of the District’s elementary schools this fall, and close to 3,000 kids signed up for the six-week program, which began on September 8. Runners have qualified for the Bloomsday All City Meet by either their place or time in the gender and grade division in which they competed at one of two zonal meets (Sept. 30 & Oct. 7). Over 700 qualifiers are expected to participate in the meet on Monday.
To contact Active4Youth for more information about the program or the Bloomsday All City Meet, please contact Mike Bresson at 509.868.6201 or visit the Active4Youth web site, www.active4youth.org.
About Active4Youth (A4Y)
Active4Youth is a local 501(C)(3) nonprofit that works to provide after-school sports programs for Spokane-area children to combat childhood obesity. For more information or to see how you can get involved or make a contribution, please visit Active4Youth’s website, www.active4youth.org.
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