Healthy Kids Running Series Returns to Cypress This Spring
The Healthy Kids Running Series (HKRS) is returning to Cypress this spring, offering children in Pre-K through 8th grade an opportunity to build healthy habits through running. This five-week program kicks off on March 9, 2025, with races scheduled every Sunday from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the D. Bradley McWilliams YMCA at Cypress Creek, located at 19915 Hwy 249, Houston, TX 77070.
Founded in 2009, the Healthy Kids Running Series aims to introduce children to the sport of running in a fun, supportive environment while encouraging an active lifestyle. Participants compete in age-appropriate races, including dashes, quarter-mile, half-mile, and one-mile runs.
Why Running Matters for Children’s Health
Physical activity is essential for children’s health and development, and running is one of the most accessible ways to stay active. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regular physical activity in children helps:
- Strengthen bones and muscles
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Improve mental health and reduce stress
- Support better sleep and focus in school
- Lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and Type 2 diabetes
Programs like HKRS help promote these benefits by making running a fun, community-based activity that fosters healthy habits early in life.
How to Register
Parents can sign their children up for the full five-week series or participate on a single-race basis:
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Full Series Registration: $45 early bird pricing, increasing to $50 if registered within three weeks of the first race. Includes race bib, runner shirt, finisher medal, and sponsor giveaways.
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Single-Day Registration: $20 per race, available on-site one hour before race time. Includes a race bib and runner shirt (subject to availability).
To register or find more details, visit the HKRS Cypress Registration Page.
Community Involvement and Volunteer Opportunities
HKRS also provides opportunities for volunteers to assist on race days, including high school and college students looking to earn service hours. Volunteers can help with race logistics, check-in, and course setup. Those interested in volunteering can sign up on the Healthy Kids Running Series website or email cypresstx@healthykidsrs.org for more information.
With childhood screen time increasing and physical activity levels declining, community-based programs like the Healthy Kids Running Series play an important role in encouraging kids to embrace fitness and healthy competition. As families in Cypress gear up for another season, HKRS continues its mission of helping children build confidence, strength, and a lifelong love for running.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
