FITNESS RUN KIDS LEARN TO SHAPE UP AT PARK CHALLENGE.

Byline: Lisa M. Sodders Staff Writer

WOODLAND HILLS - More than 2,500 kids, parents and teachers spent Saturday morning exercising together in the Lloyd Levine Fitness Challenge at the Warner Center Park Pavilion, more than double the number who participated in last year's inaugural event.

Sponsored by Levine, a Democrat in the state Assembly, the noncompetitive outing encouraged children to walk, jog, bike, run or skate their way through a 5-kilometer, or 3.1-mile, course.

``It's all about rewarding the people who participate, not just the fastest,'' said Levine, 35, an avid runner who has asthma and who is currently training for a 100-mile race to raise money for asthma research.

``The fast ones always get rewarded, and if you never get rewarded, you have no incentive for doing something.''

Those who turned out Saturday included actor James Cromwell and Ryan Benson, winner of TV's ``The Biggest Loser,'' who dropped more than 120 pounds on the show.

In addition to various individual prizes, every school with at least 50 participants received a grant from the Fitness Challenge Foundation to improve physical activities at their school, with a grand prize for the elementary and secondary school with the most participants as a percentage of enrollment.

But many came for reasons other than prizes. Joahana Vargas, 14, of Northridge decided to participate in the fitness challenge at the urging of a teacher, and just because it sounded like a good idea.

``Why not?'' she said. ``It's Saturday and I feel like running. If there's a lot going on (in my life) I just run and - Wow! - it feels good! If I run outside, it keeps me distracted.''

Carol Levey, 44, of Woodland Hills and her children, Alex, 8, and Josh, 5, did the fitness challenge in honor of Levey's husband, Bob, 46, who at 37 survived a heart attack caused by hereditary factors.

``At this age, all they know is daddy has a boo-boo on his heart, and it's important for us to do this so they don't have boo-boos on their hearts,'' Levey said, noting that her husband was exercising on Saturday, too - at a golf tournament.

Daughter Alex enjoyed the event so much that she completed the course twice.

Olympic gold medalist Quincy Watts said he was pleased to see so many parents involved.

``Parents need to get kids out and exercising together, even if it's just walking,'' said Watts, 34, of Woodland Hills, who now has his own line of therapeutic active apparel.

``They need to teach kids that exercise can be fun. If you do it together, as a family, you start introducing the idea that it's fun being active.''

Sandy Collins, principal of Columbus Middle School, said the event, which included 200 participants from her school, also was inspiring some adults to look at their own fitness levels.

Lisa M. Sodders, [phone]

lisa.sodders(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Enrique De La Cruz and daughter Cynthia, 9, sprint together to reach the finish line of the 5-kilometer event on Saturday in Woodland Hills.

(2) Skaters and scooter riders roll along together at the Fitness Challenge.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer