U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka children participated in a worldwide event known as America’s Kids Run on Armed Forces Day, May 18.

Fifty-five military connected children in Yokosuka were among 22,500 kids and 110 Navy, Air Force and Army installations worldwide participating in the run this year, said Mike Erwert, the founder and executive director of the run.

“We target Armed Forces Day each May so the parents know where ever they’re stationed, there is a good chance our run will be available for them to participate,” Erwert said.  

The origins of the children’s run date back to 1986, when Erwert wanted his then four year old son Mike to participate in the popular annual Bloomsday Run in Spokane. The 7-mile run was too long, however, so he created the “Children’s Junior Bloomsday Run.” The run attracted 3,000 children in its first year and grew to just under 12,000 in its second year.

In the Spring of 2003, the family services director of the Air Force expressed an interest in the run, which led to the creation of the first “America’s Kids Run” with 58 bases and 14,000 children between the ages of five and 13 years old participating worldwide. The run has continued to grow since then.

“We are very proud of being able to provide this annual run to military installations each spring, knowing the parents and families look forward to it,” said Erwert, whose son joined the Navy after high school graduation and is currently a Master-At-Arms 1st Class at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

This year marks Yokosuka’s 10th time offering the run to military-connected kids in the area. Organized by Yokosuka’s Youth Sports program, the run attracted 55 participants to the Purdy Fitness Center track on May 18. Kids were divided into three different age groups for the run, with five and six years old running a half-mile, or one lap around the track, while seven and eight year olds ran one mile and nine to 13 year olds running two miles.

Families say they participated in the run for a number of reasons.

“I need to get faster,” said nine year old Valentina while waiting for her age group’s turn to run around the track. Her father, Petty Officer 1st Class Juan Bermejo of the USS Mustin (DDG 89) added that the run was a great opportunity for his family to “learn about living a healthy lifestyle.” Besides Valentina, his son Gabriel, 11, also participated in the race.

Cecilio Innis, a Culinary Specialist Chief Petty Officer aboard the USS Benfold (DDG 65), also brought his kids to the track to learn about working together as a team. “That is our inspiration: team work,” said Innis, who encouraged his kids to keep going by running alongside them and cheering them on. “We do everything as a family.”

Roshawn Terry, Yokosuka’s youth sports director, agreed that the run was more about community than competition. “This is to bring youth and families together,” Terry said.

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