FIRST AIMS CHILDREN’S SERIES EVENT OF 2013 IN TANZANIA, AFRICA

Four hundred African children took part in the first race in the 2013 AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races) Children's series took place on 6 April, 2013 in Chalinze a small agricultural town about 100km north of the Tanzanian capital, Dar es Salaam.

The AIMS Children’s Series seeks to promote good health and fitness among young people around the World and to introduce and promote running as part of a healthy lifestyle.
 
The four hundred runners were recruited from local schools. They ran in under-13 and under-17 age groups and competed in four separate races for both boys and girls. Boys wore white round neck t-shirts with the AIMS Children's series logo and girls wore light blue. The under-17 age group ran 5km and children under 13 covered 3km. All participants were awarded with a medal and a t-shirt. The first three from each race won sportswear as prizes. The school sports teachers ran with the children for guidance and nurses, a doctor and traffic police oversaw the event.

AIMS thank their patron OPAP/Visit Greece who made it possible to realise the event, the third and final time it will be held as part of the AIMS Children's Series. Thanks are further extended to all members of AIMS, who contribute to the sporting legacy the AIMS family is spreading around the world by promoting and supporting the AIMS Children’s Series.

AIMS Vice President and Coordinator of the Children’s Series Martha Morales comments: “These events make a real impact in these children’s lives by encouraging running to aid fitness and good health.”

AIMS President Paco Borao comments: “AIMS members and sponsors have a strong passion and commitment to promoting running to young people around the world through the AIMS Children’s Series”

AIMS is a member based organisation of 350 of the world’s leading distance races in over 95 countries. AIMS looks to encourage and promote fitness among young people.

AIMS recognises that there are great differences across the world economically, culturally and socially. With this in mind, AIMS launched the Children’s Series at the beginning of 2006 to assist selected member races in promoting running among children in areas of need.

The second Children’s Series event of 2013 is due to take place on 1 June 2013 in Durban, South Africa.

AIMS – Gordon Sheach