Healthy Kids Running Series kicks off spring season in Langhorne

Under bright blue skies and a gentle spring breeze, families gathered at Lance Corporate Harry J. Simmons, Jr. Memorial Park in Langhorne on Sunday, April 12 for the opening day of the Healthy Kids Running Series Spring 2026. Approximately 125 children participated in this family-friendly, community-centered event filled with encouragement, energy, and a shared commitment to getting kids active.

Part of a national nonprofit effort with programs held in communities across the country, the Healthy Kids Running Series was created to introduce children to running in a fun, inclusive way while promoting lifelong healthy habits.

The five-week program, which runs on consecutive Sundays through May 17, welcomes children from Pre-K through 8th grade to participate in age-appropriate races ranging from 50-yard dashes to a full mile. But as first-time spectators and returning families quickly saw, the event is about much more than competition.

“This is really about getting kids outside and teaching them how to have a healthy, active lifestyle,” said Marlaine Buras, the Langhorne Community Coordinator for the series. “We want to encourage them to be a little competitive, but only as competitive as they want to be. It’s really about competing with yourself and trying to improve each week.”

Buras, who has been coordinating the Langhorne series since spring 2025, revived the local program after it had briefly shut down due to a lack of leadership. Now in its third season under her direction, it is currently the only Healthy Kids Running Series location in the area.

“We originally found out about the program a few years ago when there was one in Newtown,” she explained. “When the Langhorne one closed, I thought it was such a great idea that I decided to take it over. It aligns perfectly with what I already do.”

In addition to her role with the running series, Buras is the owner of Bloom Kids Fitness in Hulmeville and has a background as a Division I athlete. She demonstrated her passion for youth fitness from the very start of the event, as she gathered all of the children together before the races and led them through a series of warm-up exercises and stretching activities, demonstrating how to properly prepare their bodies for running. 

Throughout the morning, children lined up by age group on the paved course that loops around the park’s softball field. The youngest runners, ages two and three, tackled the 50-yard dash, drawing some of the loudest cheers from the crowd.

“That’s such a fun race to watch,” Buras said with a laugh. “Some kids are sprinting as fast as they can, some just stand there and refuse to move, and others try their best. But the best part is that everyone is cheering them on. All the families are there, and the kids love it.”

Parents gathered near the finish line, clapping and calling out encouragement as each child made their way across. For many families, the event offered a refreshing way to spend a Sunday morning outdoors.

Thais, a mom from Levittown, attended with her five-year-old son Logan, who participated in the 75-yard dash.

“We saw this on social media and decided to come,” she said. “I think it’s a good way for kids to be in an outdoor environment. I signed him up for one week to see how he does, and I’m hoping he likes it enough to continue with the rest of the series and maybe even try some other sports.”

Nearby, Laura, also from Levittown, watched her twin daughters, Chiara and Caitlyn, both 10, prepare for the one-mile race. The family has been participating in the series for several years.

“They’ve been doing this for five or six years now,” she said. “I like that it teaches them healthy habits. It’s fun, it’s low cost, and it gets them outside on a Sunday instead of being on their tablets.”

For Janine of Morrisville, whose three-year-old son Wade returned for his second year, the program has become something to look forward to.

“He’s been asking all year when he gets to come back,” she said. “It’s really motivating for kids to be around their peers doing something active. He loves watching the older kids too; it teaches him about sportsmanship and how everyone gets along.”

That sense of community was evident across the park. Before the races began, children played on the playground, kicked soccer balls, and shot hoops while parents chatted and caught up with friends. Many families stayed even after their child’s race had finished, cheering on runners in other age groups.

“It’s different from a typical one-day race,” Buras said. “It feels more like a family event. It really brings the community together.”

Francie Hickey of Langhorne brought her five-year-old daughter Joanna, who was participating for the second year.

“I liked seeing her improve each week last year,” Hickey said. “She was really competing against her own times, and she got faster every time. It’s her first experience with racing, and it’s a great way to ease into it without the full commitment of a sports team.”

That focus on personal progress is a key element of the program. Each child’s race times are recorded weekly, allowing families to track improvement over the five-week series.

“Parents can go online and see their child’s results each week,” Buras explained. “Then the kids can try to beat their time or just see how they’re progressing. It gives them that positive reinforcement and helps them believe in themselves.”

Inclusivity is another key component of the program. The series features a Challenger Division, an adaptive 75-yard race designed for children with disabilities or special needs. Participants can run with the support of family members or use assistive devices, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to take part.

“We want every child to feel included and not feel any different,” Buras said. “That’s really important to us.”

Leah, a Langhorne resident, attended with her two-year-old son Logan, who was participating for the first time.

“My older son did this a few years ago, so now he gets to cheer on his little brother,” she said. “A lot of kids in our neighborhood do it, so it’s a nice community event for us. We actually just walked over from our house.”

As the morning progressed, older participants took on longer distances, including the quarter-mile, half-mile, and mile races. The half-mile division, which includes second and third graders, drew the largest group, while the mile race featured a smaller but determined group of older runners.

Despite the varying distances and abilities, the atmosphere remained consistent: supportive, upbeat, and focused on effort rather than outcome.

“At the end of the five weeks, every kid gets a medal,” Buras said. “We want to recognize that they all worked hard. We do give trophies to the top finishers, but the main goal is participation and growth.”

That philosophy was reflected in moments both big and small throughout the day, like when children slowed down to encourage others nearing the finish line, or when exhausted runners were met with high-fives and cheers.

“I’ve gotten unbelievably positive feedback over the past few seasons,” Buras said. “It’s really rewarding to see the kids grow, not just physically, but in confidence. 

With strong turnout and enthusiastic feedback from families, the series is already building momentum for the remaining weeks.