By Paul Kurtz

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Hundreds of youngsters huffed and puffed their way through their first race, yesterday, at Belmont Plateu. It’s part of a nationwide program to prevent childhood obesity.

Sunshine and 80 degrees — perfect weather for a run. But one mile is a grueling test for these second through eighth graders. That’s one reason Kids Rock Philly brought in luminaries such as Olympian and NYC Marathon winner Rod Dixon to spur them on.

“At this age finishing is winning, winning is finishing. Doing the best they can, connecting exercise with activity with the classroom, right foot left foot, right side brain, left side brain.”

ESPN”s Bonnie Bernstein is the National Ambassador for Kids Rock. She says the race is all about building habits that will last a lifetime.

“We all know that childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in this country and I think the real key is prevention, teaching kids at an early age how fun exercise can be, how great you feel when you eat well.”