A group of four adults in green shirts stands behind four smiling children wearing medals.
Local couples, John and Andrea Richardson and Bryan and Amanda Taylor, have launched the Healthy Kids Running Series in Nocatee.
Less screen time, more movement.
That’s the main idea behind the Nocatee Healthy Kids Running Series, a growing local chapter of a national nonprofit. The program encourages kids to put down their devices and get moving.
Andrea and John Richardson, along with Bryan and Amanda Taylor, run the program, which takes place twice a year in the spring and fall. It’s open to kids from kindergarten through 8th grade.
Bringing the Joy of Running to Kids
“We’ve found so much joy in running and exercise,” Andrea told The Citizen. “We want kids to experience that same excitement. Families move to Nocatee from all over, and this is a great way to bring them together in a healthy and active way.”
Andrea, who ran track at the University of Kentucky, knows that many kids don’t see running as fun unless it’s part of a sport like soccer or football. She and her husband want to change that mindset.
As a local real estate agent and Ponte Vedra Beach resident, Andrea hopes to show kids that running can be exciting, not just hard work.
A Fun and Challenging Program
The five-week program is designed for all ages and skill levels.
- Younger kids start with short 50-yard dashes.
- Older kids challenge themselves with longer runs, including a mile.
Regardless of distance, Andrea says kids love seeing their progress. As they improve their times and run farther, their confidence grows.
“We often think of exercise as something tough and tiring,” Andrea said. “But this program is different. It’s fun, and families can do it together.”
Running Toward a Healthier Future
Instead of spending hours indoors, kids meet at the Nocatee Community Fields, warm up together, and hit the track.
Not only do they build strength and endurance, but they also learn valuable life skills like goal-setting, self-discipline, and perseverance—skills that will help them long after middle school.
The program ends with a special celebration where every child receives a medal and certificate. Top runners also take home trophies.
In the end, Andrea says the program is about more than just speed or distance—it’s about helping kids realize their potential while having fun along the way.
