Fifth Annual Rhode Island Dietetic Association Nutrition Fuels Fitness 5K Run/Walk and Kids in Motion Fun Runs were held Saturday, April 12, 2008 Goddard Park - Warwick, Rhode Island Roll over photos at right to see larger versions. Also see more photos at John Lovgren Photography

The 5th annual Rhode Island Dietetic Association’s Nutrition Fuels Fitness 5K Walk/Run and Kids in Motion Fun Runs was held on Saturday April 12, 2008. The early morning thunderstorm made way for a splendid spring morning full of sunshine and warmth.  One hundred and six children competed in the fun runs.  The Learning Community in Central Falls brought over 50 children to the event. The dynamic duo of Hallie Manchester and Madison West from the Matunuck School Mantarays won the Moving Minutes contest for the second year in a row.  They averaged 93 minutes of movement per person on each day of March.  Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts welcomed the participants and encouraged them to continue living a healthy lifestyle.  She also praised RIDA for its work to promote good nutrition and physical activity.  Two hundred participants walked and ran 3.1 miles through the beautiful Goddard Park.  Eric Lonergan from North Kingstown was the overall winner with a time of 16:24 and Francine Darrock was the first female to cross the line with a time of 18:24.  For complete results, visit www.coolrunning.com.  The Arpin International Group won all three team prizes; the fastest male, fastest female and largest number of participants!

The post event health fair was a tremendous success with stations featuring the American Heart Association, Rhode Island Food Allergy Network, Johnson & Wales University on sports nutrition, RI Dietetic Association’s Ask A Dietitian, the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Health Trax Wellness, The American Diabetes Association, and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Wellness Van.  The refueling station had wonderful healthy foods generously provided by Belmont Market, Calvitos Bakery, Hallsmith-Sysco, Bagelz (Kingston), Cabot Cheese, Garelick Farms, Dunkin Donuts, Mangarelli’s Fruit, Subway, Robert’s Precut Vegetables, Abbot Nutrition, Glaceau, Uncle Sam’s and General Mills.  
 
Numerous raffle prizes included those donated by CVS, John Lovgren photography, South County Choppers, Interstate Navigation and the Oar on Block Island, Narragansett Personal Chef, Douglass Liquors and the Rhode Island Dietetic Association.  The dietitians at Kent County Hospital, South Coast Hospital Group, The Miriam and Rhode Island Hospital also donated wonderful theme baskets.

The event’s 24 Carrot sponsors were Melissa Kirdzik (the “official dietitian” for Shape magazine’s 2007 Weight Loss Diary column) and Sodexo Health Care.  The Rhode Island Hospital Office Services was an 18 Carrot sponsor and 14 Carrot sponsors included Abbott Nutrition, Central Rhode Island Area Health Education Center, Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, and Newport Hospital.  Mead Johnson Nutritionals, Creative Cuisine Caterers, and graphic ink contributed as 12 Carrot sponsors.  Numerous other business donated prizes.  The University of Rhode Island’s Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences provided many volunteers to help the day run without a glitch.

The food drive collected about 50 items for the Rhode Island Food Bank. 

RIDA wishes to thank all that made for an awesome day!  Plan to attend next year’s event.  Check the RIDA website for details.

See pictures from the event at http://www.shutterfly.com/pro/JohnLovgren/RIDAEVENT.

Thank you to Our Sponsors