To better keep kids living an active and healthy life during the summer break, some may need a game plan, and one option is participation in the Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital Kids on Track program. Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital is excited to host the Kids on Track youth summer wellness program once again. Kids on Track is a 26.2-mile, intermittent marathon for kids ages 18 and younger, completed over the summer months with the goal of creating a fun and exciting experience so children want to stay physically active and healthy. There are also three opportunities for the kids to come together and complete some of their miles in a group setting.
The 2024 Kids on Track program will kick off on Monday, May 20 at 5:30 p.m. at the Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital walking track located at 975 Mattox Drive, Sullivan. The program will feature a halfway celebration bowling party at Eagle Lanes & Fun Zone on Thursday, July 18, and end with all participants completing the final mile together on Friday, August 23 at Sullivan High School Meet the Eagles Night. All participants will receive a Kids on Track t-shirt at the final event.
This event is hosted by Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital with additional sponsorship support from area businesses including Eagle Lanes & Fun Zone, First State Community Bank, Imperial Headwear, KTUI Radio, More than Convenience, Sullivan Bank, and Zac’s Challenge. “Last summer, Kids on Track was such a fun activity to keep my kids and nephews active and outdoors at such young ages.” said Lindsey Weiland, mother of 2023 Kids on Track participants. “We thoroughly enjoyed our evening walks and bike rides with our cousins while adding miles to our marathon at our own pace.”
Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital is focused on providing extraordinary care for patients and strives to bring preventative health awareness to the communities they serve. As one of the most vulnerable populations, children’s health outcomes as an adults can be greatly influenced by maintaining a healthy body weight while young. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 1 in 5 school age children and young people (6 to 19 years) in the United States has obesity, and a child with obesity is more likely to have obesity as an adult, which leads to a higher risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and many types of cancer.
Dr. Xiang Ng, a pediatrician at Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital is a strong supporter of the Kids on Track program. “We are so excited to bring back Kids on Track this year,” Dr. Ng said. “We recognize the benefits of regular physical activity in children which include heart health, stronger bones, stronger muscles, and a healthier body mass. We understand it can be more challenging for kids to get the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity in the summer when they are not participating in physical education or school sports, so we are happy to offer this program to help motivate them to stay active.”
To register your child for the Kids on Track program, please visit, https://www.missouribaptistsullivan.org/kids or call 573-468-1999.