Team Chances planning Stagecoach Days run, fitness fair

It’s never too early to start getting fit, and Team Chances Maricopa is providing local residents a fitness goal as part of Stagecoach Days in October.

The Maricopa Mile and 5K will take place on Sunday, Oct. 10, starting at 8 a.m. from Legacy Traditional School. The 5K is an out and back course, ending at the school. Entry fees are $20 for the 5K walk/run and $5 for the one-mile kids’ run.

“This is a fun event that raises money for Team Fitness Kids programs in Maricopa. All money raised from the event will stay in Maricopa, going to the 4th and 5th graders at Santa Rosa Elementary School. Mayor Anthony Smith has agreed to be the starter for the race, and Maricopa firefighters are tentatively scheduled to hand out medals to the finishers,” said organizer Beth Murphey.

In addition to the Maricopa Mile and 5K, Team Chances will sponsor a free Family Fitness Fair as part of the Stagecoach Days celebration. Fitness Fair vendors will be community members and organizations that are promoting healthy lifestyles and physical activity for all residents. 

“We are looking for at least 15 local businesses to come out, promote their businesses and be part of our event,” Murphey said. “We are also looking for sponsors.”

Sponsors will have their business logo on all promotional material:  postcards, brochures, the website and race t-shirts. Businesses will receive free booth space for any sponsorship of $100 and over. Those interested in being a vendor or sponsor should contact Murphey at 602-621-3854 or via email at [email protected].

The Team Fit Kids program is a running/walking program designed to get children moving and their families moving in the fight against childhood obesity. In the program children are challenged to run or walk 25 miles during the fall semester at school. Children are assisted through the program by tracking their completed miles on mileage charts. Participants are also provided all of the necessary materials to get active including, Nike running shoes, team shirts, nutrition clinics, running incentives and race entries into the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon.

Team Chances Maricopa provided the Fit Kids Program to five classrooms at Santa Rosa Elementary. They had 88 kids participate with 762 individual workouts, and the kids logged 532 miles.

Start getting in shape now to be part of the Maricopa Mile and 5K, and don’t forget to sign up for  the Family Fitness Fair.

Staff photo