ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- More than 30 children showed up May 19 as the 28th Services squadron held its America's Kids Run event. The kids run, which was held at the 1.5-mile Heritage Lake track here, is an opportunity for children ages 5 through 13 to participate in a fun run and is observed by Air Force, Navy and Army bases worldwide,. 

The 5- and 6-year-olds ran one-quarter mile, the 7- and 8-year-olds ran one-half mile and the 9- through 13-year-olds ran one and one-half mile. Each child was greeted with cheers from the crowd as they crossed the finish line and presented with an America's Kids Run t-shirt. 

The top three finishers for each age group were presented with a ribbon for their respective place of finish. The top three finishers were: 

one-quarter mile run (ages 5-6)
1st place Nina Thompson
2nd place Jarend Hannon
3rd place Zachary Goldhammer

one-half mile run (ages 7-8)
1st place John Turgeon
2nd place Nakyla Judy
3rd place Matthew Turgeon

one and one-half mile run (ages 9-13)
1st place Jazmyn Mundell
2nd place Ryan Reers
3rd place Jalyssa Mundell

The event offers an opportunity for children of military personnel to participate in a safe, interactive event as part of Armed Forces Day celebrations and May Fitness Month promotions. 

The run has a 22-year history, and this is the second year Ellsworth has supported it, said Chad Canaan, 28th Services Squadron Black Hills Community Center director. 

"Our history has shown us that children who begin running as exercise at an early age continue with exercise as a life-style choice through their elementary, middle and high school activities," said Mike Erwert, executive director and America's Kid Run event founder. "Our goal is to share our history of success and fitness behavior with children throughout the world." 

For more information visit their web site at www.americaskidsrun.org.