It’s not too late, enroll today in our Running 101 Clinic

By Donna Dass
Get Ready for the Hillsborough Hop 5K
If you’re already active and are looking for a way to improve your fitness level, the Hillsborough Family YMCA’s Running 101 clinic will help you reach your goal.  Since the program builds gradually, each participant should be able to run 3.1 miles by the end of the session and participate in the 11th annual Hillsborough Hop 5K race on Saturday, June 4th.
Youth Running 101 (7-12 years)
This nine week class will teach kids ages 7 years old through 12 years old the basics of running and culminates in participating in the Hillsborough Hop 5K race (separate registration available at www.active.com).  Children are great sprinters but need to learn endurance, which is what this class focuses on.  They will learn what to wear, how to exercise and stretch before running and other information to help them become healthy kids and healthy runners.  Experienced youth runners are also welcome and will be in a separate training group from the beginners. 
Class schedule:  5:00-5:45 pm   Mondays and Wednesdays  4/4/11 – 6/1/11
No class on 5/30/11, Memorial Day.
Running 101
This nine week class will teach you the basics of running culminating with our 11th annual Hillsborough Hop 5K race (separate fee, register on-line for the race at www.active.com).
The class begins with a run/walk and slowly builds each week to a full run.  Classes will cover what to wear, nutrition, running, stretching and other information to build healthy runners. 
Class schedule:  6:00-7:00 pm   Mondays and Wednesdays  4/4/11 – 6/1/11
No class on 5/30/11, Memorial Day.
Fees for the Running Clinic are: 
Adult Full Privilege:  $85
Program Members     $130
Potential Members:    $175 
After your training is complete you’re ready for the Hillsborough Hop.  This 5K (3.1 mile) course is USATF sanctioned, certified and a 500 point USATF-NJ Grand Prix event.  All paid, participating runners will receive a t-shirt and goodie bag as part of the registration fee. Early registration ends May 22nd.   There are 3 categories for this race:  Adult (ages 15 and over), Youth (ages 7-14) and Parent/Child Teams.   Teams must pre-register online.  Team members may also compete for individual awards.  You can save time and money by registering at www.active.com.  The online fee is:  Adults $23 and Youth $18. 
Please demonstrate your support for the Hillsborough Family YMCA, a branch of the Somerset Valley YMCA, and help sponsor our race or volunteer to help (both adults and youth) on the day of the race.  The proceeds from the Hillsborough Hop will benefit children whose families cannot afford the cost of Y programs. For more information on our Running 101 Clinic, registering for the 5K Run in June or to become a sponsor or volunteer, call the Hillsborough Family YMCA at (908) 369-0490.  Find out more about the Somerset Valley YMCA and visit www.ymcasomersetvalley.org.