Police Athletic League program offers kids a chance to run

BANGOR – The Police Athletic League Center Run Club will begin its fall season Sept. 24. The director of the program is Amy C. Badger.

Runs will be held 3-4 p.m. Tuesdays at the PAL Center on Watchmaker Street. The program is free.

The purpose of the PAL Center Run Club is to give children, in grades six through 12, a chance to meet new people, set goals, achieve excellence, learn new things and have fun, according to PAL officials.

All runs will be supervised and will take place after a quick informational session at the center. Runs may take place in different neighborhoods throughout the session, but parents will always be informed a week before the outing. All children will be running together and should be dressed for active participation.

Schedule of events:

. Week 1: Stretching, 1-mile run;

. Week 2: Safety Gear, 1-mile run;

. Week 3: Hydration, 1.5-mile run;

. Week 4: Running Attire, 2- mile run;

. Week 5: Shoes, 2-mile run;

. Week 6: Nutrition, 2.5-mile run;

. Week 7: Mental prep, 3-mile run;

. Week 8: Pace, 3-mile run;

. Week 9: Family Pasta Feed;

. Week 10: Turkey Trot 5k Run, Nov. 24. Participants must decide whether or not to run the race by Oct. 8.

Running is something that everyone can do, PAL officials said. It is an activity that doesn’t require extra instruction. PAL aims to get children interested in a lifelong activity they can enjoy for years with an emphasis on the right and safe way to run, whether in a group or alone.

Police Athletic League Board officers are: Detective Paul Edwards, president; Detective Keith Mercier, vice president; Detective Cliff Worcester, treasurer; Detective Cathy Rumsey, secretary. Board members are Tracy Willette, Bangor Parks and Recreation; Courtney Collins, YMCA; and Chris Moor, The Ski Rack.

For information, call 942-6181.