GO FAR NEWS!

New Schools join GO FAR in 2010.  A new year and more schools are joining GO FAR. Dedicated teachers are committed to get children outside and active and learn the benefits of walking and running.

New schools on board for the start of 2010 include Erwin elementary led by school counselor Elizabeth Brown, Sumner elementary led by Carmyn Glynn, Westchester Day School led by Evelyn Johnson and Peeler elementary led by JoAnn Strack, Jefferson elementary (Guilford County) led by Matt Ziminski, Brooks Global led by Courtney Fields, Caldwell Academy led by Stacy Harris and Dare County schools on the Outer Banks led by Samantha Brown.  (posted 3/6/10)

For the spring 2009 5k, GO FAR partnered with the United Healthcare North Carolina Marathon for that event’s second running, but its first year in High Point, NC.

Roughly 575 GO FAR participants were joined by another 150 or so 5k runners from the community. Of the 15 participating schools and programs, Southwest Guilford Elementary brought the largest turnout with 90 students and another 90 siblings, parents, and teachers.

The downtown High Point location, on the plaza between Showplace and the International Home Furnishings Market, made a terrific race venue, with the finish line under the canopy of the transportation terminal. GO FAR runners crossed the finish line alongside half-marathoners and some of the early marathon runners, whose races started two hours earlier at 7 am.

Joan Benoit Samuelson gives a pep talk to the GO FAR 5Kers              Group of GO FAR kids race to the finish

The 5k participants got an extra treat when former Olympic marathon gold medallist Joan Benoit Samuelson greeted them just before the start of the race. Asking how many people were running their first race, Samuelson offered one tip: look down and check that your shoes are tied. “I’ve done that,” the distance-running legend told them.

Thanks to City of High Point, the High Point police, Parks & Recreation staff, and High Point University students for their help along the course. Thanks also to the Jack & Jill Teens Club who manned our water station and to Cornerstone Health Care, our presenting sponsor. (May 8, 2009) 

to view more race pictures click here....

GO FAR is excited to announce that we are partnering with the United Healthcare NC Marathon which will occur on May 2, 2009 in downtown High Point. The GO FAR 5K Family event is an event for children as well as their parents, siblings, teachers and principals.  GO FAR encourages everyone to get active and healthy and have some fun in the process! (1/26/09)

The 6th Annual Fall GO FAR 5K walk/run took place on November 15, 2008 in High Point, NC. Over 500 participants registered for the 5K event. (11/15/08)

Waccamaw Intermediate School in Pawley Island, South Carolina completed their first GO FAR program and 5k event November 22, 2008.  The 5K event was held at Brookgreen Gardens.   Ron Wofford was instrumental with getting the GO FAR name and program known in his community.

"Once I learned about the program I knew I would need a quality individual to make it work”, stated Ron Wofford. It was an easy decision for Wofford when he thought about Randy Melko of Surfside to run the program. He knows a lot about the importance of running, fitness, nutrition and health.

With the instructor set all we needed was an eager group of kids. The target group used in North Carolina was 3rd – 5th graders. At this point Dr. Tim Carnahan came to mind. Tim was an outstanding principal at Pleasant Hill Elementary for several years and had recently been appointed as the principal at the newly formed Waccamaw Intermediate School for 4th – 6th graders. Dr. Carnahan is an avid runner and was immediately sold on the GO FAR program. He visualized GO FAR as a great non competitive athletic activity. He also felt it would provide a vehicle that all type of students could buy into that would aid in producing a well rounded student. (12/01/08)

For results of the Turkey Trot race click he re...

Brookgreen Gardens Turkey Trot, Nov. 22, 2008                           GO FAR child finishing the Turkey Trot 5K

GO FAR expands outside North Carolina.  For the first time in 6 years GO FAR has branched outside of North Carolina.  Waccamaw Intermediate School in Pawley Island, South Carolina has initiated the GO FAR program in their brand new school under the leadership of the principal,        Dr.Tim Carnahan and Randy Melko both long time runners and advocates of fitness.  Over one hundred 4th, 5th and 6th graders signed up for the GO FAR program and will run a 5K race on November 22th. 

According to Dr. Tim Carnahan "The staff at Waccamaw Intermediate Schools focus is on well rounded students.  This involves both academics and physical fitness.  The GO FAR program is a way to provide fitness for the children". (9/29/08)

GO FAR runners at Waccamaw Intermediate School                 Randy Melko gives some running tips

Carolyn Vaughn is a teacher of Exceptional Children (EC) at Ferndale Middle School.  She implemented the GO FAR program for her kids 4 years ago and continues to run a successful GO FAR program.  This year she had 14 EC children in her classroom.  In the fall Ms Vaughn implements GO FAR to help the children get back in shape from the long summer break.  In the spring, she uses GO FAR to help the children train for the Special Olympics.  "The children love GO FAR", states Ms Vaughn, she says the children come into the classroom first thing and say "is this GO FAR day Ms. Vaughn"  She says they are very motivated to accumulate mileage in the GO FAR run/walk program.  According to Ms Vaughn, 16 times around the gym is a mile.  The children walk and run around the gym and collect tickets at each turn.  They count their tickets at the end of the GO FAR session for the total miles they ran/walked.  The children add up their mileage from each GO FAR session and at the end of the year have their totals.  Two children in the program are in wheelchairs.  One girl, Kayla, was able to stand from her wheelchair, and with the assistance of a walker, walk 10 miles this year.  Wow! What an inspiration. 

This year Ms Vaughn had help from several other teachers in the classroom -   Ms Luann Staab, Mr. Kenny Crawford, Ms Tina Bullin and Ms Susan Nooe.  This is truly an exceptional group at Ferndale and a role model to other children that no obstacle is too great to conquer. (5/8/08)

Kayla  (Ferndale Middle) smiles with mom                    Josh and mom hold up GO FAR certificate

Judy Fowler, PE teacher at Colfax Elementary, has been an avid supporter of GO FAR for five years.  She not only has students in the 10 week program but also hosts an annual spring GO FAR 5K for them and other local elementary schools.  In the first year of GO FAR at Colfax, she had 25 fifth grade students participate in the fall.  The program was so popular that it grew to 60 fourth and fifth graders by the following spring. 

Since that time, GO FAR has expanded into more than ten schools and organizations.  On April 12, Judy and her volunteers hosted their Spring GO FAR 5K at Country Park in Greensboro and over 500 children, siblings, parents, principals and teachers participated.

Childhood obesity rates increase in this country each year and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) estimates that 18.8% of school aged children 6-11 years old are overweight.  Promoting physical activity, healthy eating and good morals are all goals of GO FAR.  Judy sees a transformation in her students from the beginning to the end of the program.  Children are apprehensive at first wondering if they can finish a 5K.  Gradually their fitness level and self-esteem increases, and they gain confidence in both their abilities.  The program incrementally increases the activity level so that everyone can keep up.  Along the way, they learn about the food groups and how the body uses food for energy.  Families support their children and they too start to appreciate the importance of fitness for a lifetime.  After students finish the 5K race, they have an amazing sense of accomplishment.  As Judy says, "they get hooked and believe that they can do other 5K's"  Many former GO FAR students are now long distance runners in middle school. Parents of these children have credited Judy and GO FAR for their children's interest in running. 

Judy is an athlete herself and enjoys a variety of activities including running, kayaking, cycling and hiking.  She is also an adjunct faculty member at High Point University.  Even with all her responsibilities, she continues to dedicate much of her time to children. 

On May 3rd, Creekside Parks and Recreation in Archdale hosted their first GO FAR 5K. Tanya Work headed up the race and activities on May 3rd.  Tanya was very excited with the turnout of runners for the first GO FAR 5k race at their facility.  "I never imagined this many runners would show up on race day to sign up and run ...this is great" says Work.  The weather was spectacular - a perfect morning to run.  All the children who participated in the race received a t-shirt, goody bags (complimentary of Cornerstone Medical Associates), and GO FAR medals. (5/4/08)

The spring GO FAR 5K was held on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at Country Park in Greensboro hosted by Colfax Elementary. The race was open to the students that have been participating in the program. The entire community including families, teachers, principals and friends joined the GO FAR students at the race. Some ran in the race while others cheered on the sidelines. Southwest Elementary lead by PE teacher Anneli Bennett had over 100 students participating in the race. She and Judy Fowler of Colfax Elementary both have continued to be strong supporters of GO FAR in their respective schools. Children were able to see their hard work pay off when they crossed the finish line.

The fall 6th annual GO FAR 5K is currently being planned. Check in for updates as details become available. See our web site for pictures from the fall and spring race.