Patrick County Extension Family & Consumer Sciences would like to congratulate the FIT Stuart and Happy Soles fall 2011 participants that completed the second annual Patrick County Partnership for the Arts 5K Run/Walk.

I am hoping you will be able to help me congratulate the accomplishments of this group in your media outlets. The article is included in this email and attached with attached pictures of the groups. Thank you for helping share this story! Amanda Press Release: Congratulations FIT Stuart & Happy Soles!!! FIT Stuart had a total of 21 participants attend the race this past weekend. Happy Soles, a similar program designed for youth had 7 run in the race. The FIT Stuart "Couch to 5K" program started last fall leading up to the 2010 Patrick County Partnership for the Arts first 5K Run/Walk. The program is designed for beginners or anyone who wishes to complete their first or improve their performance time in the 5K. Some choose to build up to be able to run, others may choose to walk the 5K, and continuing participants may find they are hoping to increase their times walking/running. The program is designed to help a participant run/walk a 5K while learning helpful hints about a variety of topics related to physical activity and nutrition. Special thanks go to Rebecca Adcock for coaching this team! Happy Soles was a new addition to the current program. This is designed to offer the youth an opportunity to participate. April Pendleton is the coach for the Happy Soles; her enthusiastic spirit inspired her group of participants to have fun running to reach the goal of finishing the race. Special thanks to April for serving as the coach and motivator for the youth. The group plans to continue to meet and the potential for a spring program looks promising. Leading up to our goal would be the 5k and Martinsville Half Marathon in March. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity please feel free to call the Patrick County extension office: 276-694-3341 or email Amanda Wingfield, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent at awingfie@vt.edu. We hope everyone continues their efforts to stay active and eat healthy. And remember “The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.� John Bingham. Again congratulations FIT Stuart and Happy Soles participants on finishing this 5K and wishing you all many more adventures and fitness goals in years to come! PICTURES ATTACHED: Pictured in Happy Soles Photo (Left to Right) Front: Keiko Klisiewecz, Kayleigh Klisiewecz, Emma Pendleton, and Sam Pendleton: Back: April Pendleton, coach, Carina Carrick, Mary Grace Harris, Molly Hernandez Pictured in FIT Stuart Photo: Left to Right: Richard Rogers, Rebecca Adcock, coach, Amber Scott, Laura Smith, Tracy Key, Tammy Waldron, Carol Taylor, Sheila Smart, Ursula Allen, Tamika Reynolds, Daisy Hernandez, Diana Martin, Amanda Wingfield, and Rani Klisiewecz __________________________________________________________________ Amanda Wingfield Family & Consumer Sciences Virginia Cooperative Extension Patrick County 276-229-7959 phone 276-694-4714 fax awingfie@vt.edu "Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect. It means you have decided to look beyond the imperfections."