SeeUsRun.Com - A Run/Walk/ Across America
http://www.ontrackdesigns.com/seeusrun/index.htm

In 1980, Terry Fox inspired a 15 year old American and future teacher named Paul Staso.  Five years later, Staso found himself gazing at a U.S. map on his college room wall considering a crossing aimed at a new record.  A heartbreaking injury and other obligations such as college, marriage, children, careers, and more interrupted his dream to run across America.

On September 7, 2005, 20 years since Staso’s first attempt at the run across America, he started running right along with the 4th and 5th grade students at Russell Elementary School Missoula, Montana. Their goal is to virtually run/walk across the United States. His goal is to physically prepare for the 3,200-mile run across America in 2006. Either the 4th grade or 5th grade class (or both, but not combined) must successfully cross the U.S. during the 2005-2006 school year in order for them to send Paul out onto America's roadways.

The Run/Walk Across America website and challenge is organized by Paul and Vicki Staso. Vicki is the Physical Education teacher at Russell Elementary and Paul, who previously was a 5th grade teacher, works in web site development. Both have extensive athletic and coaching backgrounds.  The challenge is designed to promote physical activity as a way of life and to encourage the school's 4th and 5th grade students to be more conscious of their health and nutrition.

Recent information from Statistics Canada state that the biggest increases in overweight/obesity rates in Canada, over the past 25 years occurred among adolescents aged 12 to 17 where it more than doubled from 14% to 29%, while their obesity rate alone tripled from 3% to 9%.  Here’s a site that teachers can easily model and improve students’ understanding of health and nutrition for life.

Terry Fox would  be proud.

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