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First-Ever White House Fun Run Inspires Schools to Move in the Right Direction

Last month, the First Family hosted over 35,000 people from across the country to participate in fun and games on the South Lawn during the White House Easter Egg Roll. The President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition teamed up with the First Lady to highlight the progress of her Let’s Move! initiative and to encourage more kids and families to lead healthy, active lifestyles.

The First Lady, along with professional athletes, trainers, and celebrities, joined approximately 200 kids in the first-ever White House Fun Run—a 0.7 mile run around the South Lawn. The Fun Run illustrated the First Lady’s passion for health, and reminded us all that running is just one way to be physically active!


First Lady Michelle Obama kicks off the start of the Fun Run during the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, March 28, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Special thanks to the Let’s Move! Active Schools Champions of DC Public Schools, including J.G. Whittier Education Campus, Hendley Elementary School, Seaton Elementary School, and J.O. Wilson Elementary School, as well as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, for arranging the participation of local kids in the Fun Run. Their participation at this year’s Easter Egg Roll made for a unique event that truly brought the theme, 'Let’s Celebrate!’ to life.


First Lady Michelle Obama participates in the final heat of the Fun Run during the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, March 28, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Let’s Move! Active Schools, a sub-initiative of Let’s Move!, helps school districts find ways to integrate physical activity before, during, and after school to ensure students reach 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Active Schools, with the help of organizations including Nike, SHAPE America and others, currently supports over 18,000 schools and reaches more than 10 million students across the nation.


First Lady Michelle Obama participates in the final heat of the Fun Run during the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, March 28, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Anyone can be a Let’s Move! Active Schools champion. If you are associated with a school as a teacher, parent, administrator, or community leader, you can champion change. For more information about Let’s Move! Active Schools and to learn how your school can get moving in the right direction, visit www.letsmoveschools.org.