What is Gotta Run Kids?
Our goal is to get kids off their couches and into their running shoes! Our hope is that they develop a lifetime – love for running and a healthy lifestyle. The boost in self-esteem is a natural spin – off, and runners of all abilities leave the program with a greater belief in themselves.
Gotta Run Kids – Spring Season
1 – Mile Program (K – 3rd Grade / 6 Weeks)
When & Where: Johns Creek UMC
Wednesdays (4:30PM to 5:30PM
Cost: $135 (includes t-shirt and medal)
Duration: April 12th – May 14th
You will need to register a new Blue Sombrero account for this club program. You can use the same credentials as your JCUMC Blue Sombrero account but you must re-register.
For more information, check out our website www.gottarunkids.com,
Follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/gottarunkids) or call Coach Patterson (678-549-5888)
Meet the Coach
Coach Greg Patterson was born and raised in South Africa and immigrated to the
U.S. in 1999. He has been married for 22 years and he has lived together with his wife and their 4 children in Cumming for the past 14 years. Having played soccer most of his life, coaching was a natural transition when his own children began playing the sport over eight years ago. He is a certified soccer and running coach, and has coached his own children, who are all successful runners. His oldest son, Matt, is a college freshman who runs on the XC team there. His middle son, Josh, is a senior and a Captain on the South Forsyth XC team. His twins, Michael and Caroline are both sophomores and they run varsity at SFHS – both holding records at the middle school level. His passion may have begun with coaching his own children, but today he continues his love for the sport through coaching the kids at GRK.
“I know it is a big deal to try a new program out, so I thought I would just tell you a little bit about me and the program. As well as coaching the kids at Gotta Run Kids for the past 6 years, I also coach a cross country team, Great Strides, during the fall and we are recognized as one of the best MS cross country teams in the state! In the past 4 years, I have personally coached several of Forsyth county’s 1600m and 800m track county champions as well as many others who placed in the top three. Several of our runners are state and nationally ranked. While we have seen a great deal of success with our more experienced athletes, we never lose sight of the fact that they all started out as “non-runners” and that each runner has different goals. We hope to encourage each child to do their best – whether that means just finishing the 5k, or setting a new PR. During our lessons, we will work on endurance while correcting our form and other basic running skills – like breathing and pacing. My goal is to get the best out of your child while still trying to make sure they have a good time!”