Let Me Run expands across eastern Iowa

A running program for fourth through sixth grade boys has grown to eleven schools in its first year in eastern Iowa.

Let Me Run incorporates health lessons and leadership skills during about a two hour running practice.

A couple times a week, after school, boys at Weber Elementary in Iowa City go on a run.

The workouts vary. Sometimes the boys spring during a relay. Or other times, like today, it's a long run; 15 laps here equals to about three miles.

“I don't care if you're faster or slower. I want you to be proud of what you can do and to be supportive of your teammates,” Coach Charity Nebbe said.

And there's a lesson after each run. Kids learn about what fats are, and were encouraged to think about healthy eating. Other lessons have worked on improving leadership skills and working as a team. That's by far the team's favorite.

Lessons that coaches say have already helped these kiddos gain confidence. And they encourage other schools to think about offering this volunteer-run program.

"We're happy to help you get a team at your school it's not hard to do and we would love to have more teams on board."

Let Me Run is about a two-month long program. It wraps up on Sunday May 20th with a 5K race. That event starts at 10 a.m. and will be held at Kirkwood College Campus in Cedar Rapids.

Everyone is encouraged to come out to this event and run with the boys.