Media Contact: John A. Stokes, (202) 673-2195 (DPR)
On Friday, February 27, 2009, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), and the Junior Monumental Milers Program (JuMMP) will host the "2009 JuMMP Rally Finale" event from 11 am to 12:30 pm at the King Greenleaf Recreation Center, 201 N Street, SW, Washington, DC.
Now in its second year, the JuMMP program is sponsored by the Greater Washington Sports Alliance and the SunTrust National Marathon. In 2009, The SunTrust National Marathon and Half Marathon celebrated its fourth year and anticipates over 8,000 runners to hit the streets of the District of Columbia on March 21, 2009. JuMMP is a 23 week long fitness challenge that engages students in grades 2 - 8, to run or walk 26.2 miles by the end of the program.
The program kicked off its second year on October 3, 2008 with over 336 youth participants who were excited to hit the ground running and start tracking their miles. The young runners track their miles on a special JuMMP Runner’s Log and bring their finished Runner’s Log to the SunTrust National Marathon’s JuMMP Finish Line Festival where they receive a runner’s bib and complete a victory lap. On race day, JuMMP participants also receive a Finisher’s Medal, tee-shirt and goody bag as well as admittance to the JuMMP Zone Festival area at RFK Stadium.
The 2009 JuMMP Rally Finale event, sponsored by Reebok and Enterprise Car Rental will recognize the DPR JuMMP Youth and DCPS Physical Education JuMMP Youth that participated in the program. This year’s event also includes five unique “Motion Stations” where youth can participate in a variety of activities such as Tug-o-War and Jump Rope Relays. After completing all five Motion Station activities, the youth will receive a special “prize”.
Confirmed speakers for the day include Mayor Adrian M. Fenty; Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr., Chairman, Committee on Libraries, Parks and Recreation; Clark E. Ray, DPR Director; Bob Sweeney, president, Greater Washington Sports Alliance (GWSA); and US Olympic Gold Medalist and 2009 JuMMP Chair, Dominique Dawes.
About JuMMP
The Junior Monumental Milers Program (JuMMP) is a physical education program youth challenge that promotes the daily habit of running and/or walking for fitness, long life and good health. The program encourages youth to run/walk 26 miles over the course of 23-weeks. The Junior Monumental Milers Program kicked off its second year on October 3, 2008 at Kenilworth Parkside Recreation Center in Anacostia. More information is available on the JuMMP website.
About Greater Washington Sports Alliance
Greater Washington Sports Alliance was established in 2003. The Sports Alliance’s mission is to promote existing amateur teams and professional franchises; initiate and support efforts to attract sporting events to Greater Washington; connect the business community to the region’s sports assets; brand Greater Washington as a sports capital; and support youth investment organizations that use sports to build character, encourage leadership, and enhance education. For more information, visit the Greater Washington Sports Alliance website.
For information on how to support or contribute to the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, please contact DPR's Office of Partnerships and Development at (202) 671-1462 or DPRpartnerships@dc.gov.