KidsFest congratulates the 1,200 students in our Running & Reading Clubs for their successful completion of the program in cities from coast to coast.  This month saw the culmination of their perseverance and training as our participants competed in a 5K run and reading challenge.  While several hundred entered in local races within their communities, approximately 400 children came together from Running & Reading Clubs across southern Ontario to compete at York University for our annual KidsFest 5K Run for Change.  Children traveled from as far as Ottawa to celebrate with their peers and prove themselves as champions.
 

New to race day this year was the introduction of a Jeopardy Reading Challenge which gave the children an opportunity to test the limits of their minds as well as their bodies.  Children were thoroughly engaged in both aspects of the day as the top three teams went head to head in the final round.  Our winning school was identified through a combination of performances in both the run and the Reading Challenge.  We are proud to announce that North Kipling School in Toronto excelled in both components!

A special highlight of the day was watching 6th grader Tariq of Toronto cross the finish line ahead of the pack at 18:19, moving his coaches and staff to tears.  After finishing in second place last year, Tariq vowed to come out on top in 2009, and we were moved to see him follow through and accomplish that goal.  Consistent investment in the children’s lives has enabled Tariq and hundreds of others to realize their dreams this year.  A special thanks goes out to all of the generous sponsors and committed coaches who made this possible.

Way to go, kids!