Zoomerang Kids at the GRR Diva Race
Our first Zoomerangs practice is this Sunday, April 22 at 3:30pm – though, we ask that you arrive between 2:30-3:15pm to pick-up your kids’ t-shirt and give them time to customize it with markers that we provide. We like for the kids to write their names on the front of their shirts so we can cheer them by name. We will also give them a Team Number to put on their sleeve. This number will correspond to the coach that they will check in with at the beginning of each practice.
In order to receive their shirts, please complete the Zoomerangs MEDICAL INFORMATION & CONSENT form and give it to us at check-in. We MUST have this completed form before your kids are allowed to practice. We will have a few copies available if you forget yours, but please take a few minutes now to print it out and fill in the necessary information (you will need your health insurance card).
Practices will begin promptly at 3:30pm every Sunday at the Smith Middle School track in Glastonbury. The program will culminate with the Glastonbury River Runners annual Firecracker 5k & Kids Fun Run on Sunday, July 1st. The race entry fee is included in the program fee you have already paid.
Practices last 30-60 minutes, depending on how long your kids wish to run. Typically, warm-ups will last ~10 minutes and then we head to the track for an “open run”. Kids are encouraged to run/walk as many laps as they feel comfortable, taking as many breaks as they want/need. After each lap, they will receive a popsicle stick that serves as their “lap counter”.
We encourage you to help your kids create a goal number of laps before each practice. It’s neat to watch the kids achieve their goals – and to see the number of laps they run increase each week. Many kids start with 4 laps, but are running 10-12+ laps by the end of the season. Parents and siblings are welcome to run too!
Around 4:15pm, we will ring the Last Lap Bell signifying the end of the Open Run. Kids are allowed to finish that last lap, before walking a cool down lap and turning in their popsicle sticks to receive their Silly Bandz and stickers for their running log. Once they have their Silly Bands and stickers, they will get a gummy worm and are free to go home with you.
Our goal is to make this a non-competitive, simple program that is a lot of fun for the kids. We want them to have happy memories of running so they want to continue doing it into adulthood. To help make practices run smooth and the kids feel good, we need your help. Please let us know if you can help pass out the popsicle sticks, Silly Bandz, stickers and high 5’s – or if you would like to help the kids warm-up at the start of practice.
See you Sunday between 2:30 – 3:15!
For more information, contact us at Zoomerangs@glastonburyriverrunners.com