What is Lions of Steel?

 South Fayette Elementary School was chosen for the 13th  time to participate in the Kids of STEEL program; a running program through Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon. KOS is an exercise and nutrition program developed to promote and encourage healthy lifestyle habits in young children. Children in grades AM Kindergarten-5  are eligible to run.

Over the course of 16 weeks, students who participate will run approximately 25.2 miles. On May 3, 2025, they will run their last mile together in the Chick-fil-A Pittsburgh Kids Marathon. During the  training, the students and their coaches  will run once or twice a week prior to the beginning of the school day. They will run for at least 10-20 minutes per session. As the weather improves, runners will be able to run outside on the playgrounds.

To encourage healthy eating habits, KOS participants will be  encouraged to taste and study different kinds of fruits and vegetables. The children will log their own activity time. Besides running at school, 20 minutes of other activities such as hockey, soccer, dance or tennis count as one mile. As a group, it is estimated that we will run over 5,000 miles in 16 weeks. 

Thank you to Mrs. Rebecca Colangelo and Miss Christa Fornella, seasoned runners themselves for being the site coordinators. 

Without the help and support of our running coaches, parents, administration, and our young emerging runners, this program will not be successful. 

It is our hope to continue to bring programs to South Fayette that will promote and foster the idea of living a life full of health and fitness. Additionally, running qualifies as a life sport; one in which athletes are likely to maintain over their life spans. It is important for children to cultivate a healthy lifestyle at an early age to obtain the goal of lifelong fitness.