Aquarium Children's Run Expects 2,000 Saturday

Aquarium of the Pacific and several other sponsors will host a free One-Mile Kids Fun Run today as a pre-event to Sunday's Long Beach International City Bank Marathon and Half Marathon.

About 2,000 youths ages six to 12 are expected and the run is nearing maximum capacity, sponsors say.

As a public education institution whose major audience is youth, the Aquarium of the Pacific considers improving children's health a top priority. In light of the growing epidemic of child obesity and diabetes,and L.A. County's campaign this week to promote reducing sugary drinks for kids, the Fun Run is coincidental but fortunately timed.

At 9 a.m., 2,000 kids ages 6 to 12 will be running in the free event, and the Aquarium has encouraged participants to dress in either blue or their favorite marine creature (see the photo).

Grand Marshall for the race is the Aquarium's talking cockatoo, Lola. Younger kids will be entertained by Ray the sting ray and other costumed characters cheering on the entrants, who will be given the Aquarium’s commemorative Octopus Medal, a finisher certificate and free entry to the Aquarium. Kids are timed and run in waves with their own age group. The event begins with a ceremony at 8:45 a.m. and lasts until 11:30.

“The Kids Fun Run is a great way to inspire children to be healthy and to achieve their goals in life. When they visit the Aquarium, we hope to inspire them to make ocean conservation one of those goals,” Cecile Fisher, Aquarium of the Pacific VP of marketing & communications, said in a statement.

If they are interested, kids will also be able to help marine life by raising funds to feed the Aquarium animals.  Participants can choose to run in honor of their favorite Aquarium marine creature, and all donations will go towards caring for that animal.

“The goal is to make running fun.  Kids love the Aquarium. We think it’s a great way to motivate kids to be fit, healthy, and achieve,” said John Parks, EVP Marketing for RUN Racing. Sunday is the International City Bank Marathon, Half Marathon, Bike Tour, and Bubba Gump Run Forrest Run 5K.