Armed Forces kids stay fit Published May 4, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Eboni Knox 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- The year of the Air Force family continued at RAF Lakenheath with the 25th Annual Armed Forces Kids Run and the Inaugural Family Olympics on May 3. More than 50 families came to the Lakenheath High School track to compete in an array of events, ranging from shot putt to relays. The event, hosted by the 48th Aerospace Medical Squadron, Health and Wellness Center and Youth Programs, was designed to promote healthy living for children and time with their families. "This event is intended to get kids outside, with their parents, and physically active," said Maj. Cathy Snowball, 48th AMDS Health and Wellness Center flight commander. "We all read and see that kids and parents are having issues with weight gain. There are a lot of reasons behind that, and if we can make activity fun and incorporate it into families' daily lives, hopefully it will make an impact on the entire family." Volunteers from more than five different private organizations around base lightened the load of the event. "I enjoy coming out and helping with a project that is both healthy and fun for the parents and children," said Joseph London, Youth Programs volunteer. Outdoor Recreation played a big part in the afternoon by providing one of the most popular stations: the surf machine. "Surfing was my favorite part," said Nicholas Elkins, 9, son of Tech. Sgt. Nathan Elkins, 48th Civil Engineer Squadron fire inspector. For the Armed Forces Run, there were three different races split up according to age groups. All participants received medals and got a chance to stand on the winner podiums for their effort. One parent expressed her gratitude for this event. "I can appreciate an event that gets me and my children up and out of the house doing something fun and active," said Tech. Sgt. Dawn Grant, 48th Mission Support Group NCO in charge of knowledge operations management.