FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Running Guru Jeff Galloway to Address NASPE/AAHPERD Convention March 18 in Indianapolis, IN

RESTON, VA, November 4, 2009 – Olympian Jeff Galloway, author of the best-selling running book, Galloway’s Book on Running, and founder of the Galloway Marathon Training Program, will speak about his philosophy, “Every Kid Can Be a Fit Kid and a More Successful Adult,” at the General Session of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) on Thursday, March 18, 2010, at its annual convention in Indianapolis, IN. ING Run For Something Better is the sponsor of the NASPE General Session.

    Over 6,000 physical education teachers, coaches and other physical activity professionals are expected to attend the 125th annual convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). The NASPE General Session, one of the highlights of the annual convention, has recently featured such well-known speakers as baseball great Cal Ripken, Hall of Fame golfer Annika Sorenstam, football legend Herschel Walker, Oprah Winfrey’s personal trainer Bob Greene, Donna Orender, president of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA),  and Olympian Dot Richardson.

    Jeff Galloway was an overweight, sedentary kid until he started running at the age of 13. He likes to say that he was an average teenage runner who kept learning and working harder, until he became an Olympian. To date he has completed far more than 100 marathons, and he spends the time necessary to answer the questions of thousands of beginners, recreational runners, aspiring marathoners and time goal runners every year. His innovative ideas have opened up the possibility of running and completing a marathon to almost everyone.Philosophically, Jeff believes that we were all designed to run and walk, and he keeps findings ways to bring more people into the positive world of exercise.

    “When done correctly, exercise produces a joy that enhances quality of life at any age,” wrote the Olympian in his newest book called Fit Kids, Smarter Kids.“I want to help every child because fit kids do perform better in school, have a better attitude, and tend to make better behavior choices.”      

    A guide for parents, teachers, youth leaders and anyone who wants to enhance the life of a child by introducing him or her to enjoyable exercise, the book is motivational and contains practical information about blending exercise and healthy eating naturally into today’s busy lifestyle.

About the ING Run For Something Better

The ING Run For Something Better is a fundraising campaign that supports community and school-based youth running programs. Linked to ING’s long-distance race sponsorships, the program was created to introduce kids to the benefits of sport, a habit of physical fitness, and a healthy lifestyle that prevents conditions such as childhood obesity. In today’s world of poor nutrition and less-active lifestyles — which may contribute to childhood obesity — ING is using its position as a sponsor of marathons as a platform for helping kids get fit through free, school-based running programs. Nationally, ING has committed over $2.5 million to fund grants and school-based running programs through ING Run For Something Better through 2010. Since 2006, over a half million dollars has been raised by individual donors through the orange laces program. ING has also created a special charitable fund to encourage others to support the cause by making their own contribution. When someone donates $10 or more to the ING Run For Something Better, ING will recognize their contribution by giving them a special pair of orange shoelaces to wear showing that they are “tied” to supporting kids’ fitness. 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of orange laces go to the ING Run For Something Better fitness programs.

For more information about the orange laces, go to www.orangelaces.com.

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Contact:
Paula Kun
PKun@aahperd.org
703-476-3461

The preeminent national authority on physical education and a recognized leader in sport and physical activity, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) is a non-profit professional membership association that sets the standard for practice in physical education and sport. NASPE’s 15,000 members include: K-12 physical education teachers, coaches, administrators, researchers, and college/university faculty who prepare professionals in these areas. NASPE seeks to enhance knowledge, improve professional practice, and increase support for high-quality physical education, sport and physical activity programs. It is the largest of the five national associations that make up the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD). For more information, visit www.naspeinfo.org.

AAHPERD, an alliance of five national associations, six district associations, and a Research Consortium, provides its members with a comprehensive and coordinated array of resources, support, and programs to help practitioners improve their skills to further the health and well-being of the American public. It is the largest organization of professionals involved in physical education, recreation, fitness, dance, health promotion and all specialties related to achieving an active, healthy lifestyle. AAHPERD serves 20,000 members and has its headquarters in Reston, Virginia, 25 miles west of Washington DC. To learn more, visit www.aahperd.org.