This year marks the 12th anniversary of the annual Growing Healthy Children Walk/Run and the 5th year that the University of California CalFresh Nutrition Education Program in the Butte Cluster has co-chaired the event.
The goal of the annual Growing Healthy Children (GHC) Walk/Run is to heighten community awareness of the need for good nutrition and physical activity as a part of a healthy lifestyle. GHC has been a no-cost event for families in Butte County for the past eleven years, thanks to generous community support. Free participation enables families of every socioeconomic level to participate in the family fun centered on health and movement. A participant stated, “I come back each year because it is family fun and kid friendly!”
UC CalFresh participation in this event has helped to sustain community and partner participation, increased the number of returning families, and expanded the reach outside of Chico. UC CalFresh serving as a co-chair for the GHC event has helped to strengthen partnerships within the community and has served as an overall benefit to the program.
The data below are from last year's 2017 GHC event:
- 58% of families that attended had participated in previous year's event.
- 123 families and 352 participants (67% show up rate, above average for runs that require payment).
- 184 participated in the 1-mile walk/run and 142 participated 5K walk/run.
- Schools from Chico, Gridley, Hamilton City, Biggs, and Orland attended the event.
- Surveys completed by event participants reflected that 71% participated in the event to improve the health of their family, 78% enjoyed participating in the walk/run together, and 83% reported that event encourages them to make a healthy change for themselves and their families.
This year's GHC event will take place on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at Bidwell Park in Chico, CA. This is a NO-COST walk/run event for the entire family! With three different events, there is something for everyone!
- Family K (1-mile loop)
- 5K
- Kids Sprints (for young children, held in Sycamore Field)
There will be music, dancing, prizes and lots of fun activities for the whole family!
To learn more about this event, CHICK HERE.
The first 300 children to pick up their race day packets will also receive a race day t-shirt! CLICK HERE to register today.
Registration & Check-in: 7:30am – 8:15am. The race starts at 8:30am.