ATTENTION PARENTS: A QUARANTINE SUMMER FITNESS ACTIVITY THAT RUNS MEMORIAL DAY TO LABOR DAY - FREE

AFTER A SPRING SEMESTER-AT-HOME REQUIRED FINDING FITNESS ACTIVITIES TO FILL SCHOOL DAY SCHEDULES, EARNED RUNS HAS YOU COVERED ALL SUMMER 'SEMESTER' LONG.  Our original “Across America” Summer Challenge takes walkers, runners, and bicyclists over more than 3,700 virtual miles of a cross country course, starting in Portland, Oregon and ending in Portland, Maine.  Each week’s 2-3 mileage segments can be scaled to fit younger to older children’s physical capabilities as well as those of supervising adults.  
 
Over several years of presenting this annual summertime challenge, weekly blog posts have expanded to form a virtual road map guide of the sights along the course. This year the format may change, with the entire collection of 15 posts from 2019 season provided at the start of the challenge, rather than week by week.
 
Parents are able to build upon the weekly Earned Runs posted narratives or ask their stay-at-home students to explore further, as they make their virtual way across the continent. Or, the activity can solely be used as a means to encourage kid exercise with a purpose.
 
The activity inherently teaches youngsters how to commit to a fitness goal, adhere to a training schedule, meet defined daily/weekly mileage marks, and experience achievement. Kids can train with family and invite friends.  
 
Since the challenge is virtual, a short loop course can be set in the neighborhood (around the block for example), on a nearby track, or in a park to allow adherence to local coronavirus inspired restrictions.  Setting a regular time for this activity, like just before a noon lunch break, will help introduce regimen to what otherwise might be disorganized weekdays.
 
Check out the introduction post from 2019 while the 2020 version is being updated. 
 
NEW THIS YEAR is another TRAVEL TREK™-ADAPTED, CROSS COUNTRY BIKE TRIP-INSPIRED schedule. This virtual journey is a bit shorter; it courses along the southern portion of the USA from Santa Barbara CA to Myrtle Beach SC, following historic segments of the famed Route 66.
 
Stay tuned for more information and check out the RESOURCESRequest Bibs/Contact page for last year’s SUMMER CHALLENGE 2019 materials to get a peek at what might be offered for SUMMER 2020.
 
Request a set of 4 EARNED RUNS Competition Bibs to help you plan and execute a summer exercise program for children stressed by a spring semester confined to home.
 
RUN & MOVE HAPPY!