Florida Youth Running Association
FLYRA.org
Contacts:
Bill Convey 1.305.776.2957/billconvey@flyra.org Miami (President)
Laura Fredrickson 1.813.654.5478 /813.635.1417 cell laura@flyra.org Tampa (Meet Director)
For Immediate Release
Florida Middle School Cross Country Runners to Compete for State Crowns Saturday
Tallahassee, FL (November 10, 2010)—
More than 500 Florida middle and elementary school cross country runners will compete this Saturday in Lakeland to determine who will reign as this year’s state middle school champions.
The 1st Annual Florida Middle School State Cross Country Championship meet will take place at the Sun n’ Fun airport outside of Lakeland. The runners will run a 3 kilometer course. The Championship Division 3K races are open to Florida girls’ and boys’ teams and individuals in 6th through 8th grades. There will also be a Developmental Division 3K race open to athletes of all fitness levels, in grades 3 through 7.
The meet schedule is:
• Florida Dairy Farmers Girls Middle School State XC Championship Race 8:30 am
• Florida Dairy Farmers Boys Middle School State XC Championship Race 9:00 am
• Boys and Girls Developmental Race 9:30 am
The meet has been organized by the newly launched Florida Youth Running Association (FLYRA), a 501 (c) 3 organization whose mission is to help Florida's youth discover the joy and benefits of running.
FLYRA is focused on inspiring more middle and elementary school students to become runners while attacking the alarming rise in youth obesity in Florida. Ultimately, FLYRA wishes to see greater numbers of youth becoming members of high school cross country and track teams where they can further develop their talents and bring success to themselves, their schools, communities and the state of Florida.
FLYRA is dedicated to providing a rewarding championship event for Florida's middle school and elementary school runners, introducing them to running in a large event prior to high school, promoting sportsmanship, and encouraging the lifelong habit of daily running. FLYRA believes that running instills discipline, focus, and principles of hard work which inspire people to be the best that they can be in every area of their lives.
One of the founding members of FLYRA, Joe Mizereck said, “As a parent of a runner I know how running can change a young person's life. If we can get more middle school students involved in running, I believe they will experience the sport's joys and benefits. And they will taste individual and team success, like it and become lifelong runners.”
FLYRA will serve as a vehicle to promote middle school running sports. The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) has done an exceptional job over the years for high school sports. FLYRA’s work will benefit FHSAA by increasing the numbers of students participating in cross country and track and field.
FLYRA President and co-founder, Bill Convey said, “This effort is about rolling up our sleeves and finding ways to double, maybe even triple the number of middle school runners in Florida, and encouraging middle schools throughout Florida to host meets and support their running programs. This won't be easy, but if we succeed, we will change lives and Florida's running community.”
Coaches and parents of middle and elementary school runners can find additional information about the event at www.flyra.org.
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