The aptly-named New Energy Youth Running Club is about to start up its fall training season and is looking for new members interested in running.

The club is for ages 6 to 16. As anyone over the age of roughly 25 can attest, those who are still ages 6 to 16 just don’t realize how good they have it. We need to encourage our youngsters to make good use of that energy while they still can.

The club includes roughly 250 boys and girls with recreational, health and competitive motivations for running. Founded in 2010 with six runners, it now welcomes young people who want to have fun and meet new friends; those who want to improve their health with regular, structured exercise; and those who want to train for track or cross-country or compete in local road races.

The club will begin fall training on Sept. 7 at Sleepy Hole Park and will meet at 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays until the week before Thanksgiving. Runners follow structured workouts at each one-hour session.

The benefits of this kind of club for its young participants can’t be overstated. Many children spend too much time inside and not enough time investing in their physical and emotional health by exercising, learning how to take care of their bodies, setting and meeting goals, getting outdoors time and making new friends. Participation in the New Energy Running Club offers all of the above and more, and it is easy on the wallet — $12 per year or $18 for two years, with discounts for families with multiple children participating.

We encourage all families who are able to check out the club. If it’s right for your kids, it will be a huge benefit to their health and well-being.