Elementary and middle school students from across Tampa Bay gathered on Feb. 23 to celebrate their completion of the Pepperjack’s Kids Running Program at the 2025 Publix Gasparilla Half Marathon. As runners made their way down scenic Bayshore Boulevard, more than 125 young participants cheered them on before lacing up their own sneakers to run the final two miles of the race.
Nicole Misner
This year, the long-standing youth running program introduced an exciting new addition: a dedicated nutrition education curriculum. Spearheaded by Nicole Misner, a clinical dietitian with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, the initiative equipped young runners in the program with knowledge about healthy eating habits to complement their physical training.
Misner’s efforts were made possible through a prestigious 18-month grant awarded by the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) as part of the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities — a national effort supporting bold, community-based projects aimed at improving childhood nutrition and public health.
Her project, ANCHOR: Advancing Nutrition and Community Health through Opportunities and Resources, leveraged a partnership with the Gasparilla Distance Classic Association, who hosts the Pepperjack’s Kids Running Program, to introduce custom nutrition education lessons into program.
Now in its 25th year, Pepperjack’s fosters healthy habits in children through fun and structured fitness training in a safe environment. Coaches from the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department lead participants through an eight-week program in Jan. and Feb., where students exercise and engage in physical activities while learning valuable life skills. Each student receives a free pair of Asics running shoes, and at the culmination of the program, they are provided transportation to the Publix Gasparilla Half Marathon to take part in the final two miles.
Recognizing Pepperjack’s history of success and potential for further impact, Misner applied for the NASPGHAN grant after noticing the program would benefit from an official nutrition component. She collaborated with Susan Harmeling, executive director of the Gasparilla Distance Classic Association, and received enthusiastic support from Tampa Mayor Jane Castor to integrate nutrition education into the existing program.
“The Pepperjack’s Kids Running Program has been doing phenomenal work in Tampa,” said Misner. “Not only do they give kids the means to run by providing them sneakers, but they also provide them with safe spaces and coaches to learn and grow and really develop lifelong healthy habits of physical activity. We were thrilled to be awarded a grant to integrate nutrition lessons into Pepperjack’s this year.”
Through the White House Challenge award, Misner and her team developed interactive nutrition lessons, leading training with City of Tampa coaches and providing nutrition boxes to each site that included lesson plans, materials and hands-on activities. Lessons covered essential topics such as hydration, the benefits of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy snacks and reducing sugary beverages. The Tampa General Muma Children's Hospital provided reusable water bottles for the lesson on hydration, and parents received resources to reinforce healthy eating habits at home.
“For children's health, regular physical activity and healthy diet choices and nutrition is so important,” said Misner. “The lessons are designed to be fun and interactive — and since when we're talking about nutrition we also have to consider access to food, we provided families with resources on budget-friendly recipes, as well as local community food resources.”
This year, 292 children participated in the enhanced Pepperjack’s Kids Running Program across 22 different sites. Their dedication culminated in a celebratory event on Feb. 23, where they joined coaches, chaperones and volunteers for the final stretch of the Publix Gasparilla Half Marathon, energized by music and the support of the Tampa community.
Looking ahead, Misner is eager to build on this year’s success as her project enters its second year of funding. She hopes that nutrition education will become a permanent fixture of the program, ensuring that young runners continue to develop healthy habits both on and off the track.
“This year was a great success,” Misner said. “We’re excited to continue refining the lessons so that it hopefully becomes a sustainable part of Pepperjack’s for years to come.”
