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Runners Get Free Shoes

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 4, 2009

DOWNTOWN - The Gasparilla Distance Classic Association and the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA distributed hundreds of pairs of free Nike running shoes to young people participating in the 2009 Let Me Play Kids Running Program. Included in the distributions were the children at Rampello Downtown Partnership who received their shoes Feb. 13.

The Let Me Play Kids Running Program, a joint partnership between the Gasparilla Distance Classic Association, City of Tampa and Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, is funded by Nike, Kellogg's, Publix supermarkets and a Matching Funds Grant through the Hillsborough County Children's Board. Introduced in 2007 to combat youth obesity and suggest running as a healthy lifestyle activity, this year's Let Me Play Kids participants trained together for eight weeks to run the final two miles of the 2009 Gasparilla Marathon on March 1. YMCA and school physical education staffs gradually built the kids' endurance and stamina in preparation for the race. Prior to running the final two miles of the marathon, the more than 900 Let Me Play Kids planned to work as volunteers along four miles of Bayshore Boulevard.

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