The floor rumbled at Anschutz Sports Pavilion on Kansas University’s campus Friday as 900 third-graders, simultaneously, did jumping jacks.

Arms waved. Feet pounded. After a few minutes, some kids dropped to the floor — either to rest or just roll around.

The clamor marked the start of Kids Fitness Day, an annual event that draws about 17,000 Kansas schoolchildren statewide to their feet to raise their heart rates and have some fun. The local event hosted students from Lawrence and surrounding areas.

“This rocks!” said Elissa Crawford, a student at Clearwater Creek Elementary in Olathe. “We get to do all kinds of stuff.”

Kids Fitness Day promotes fitness and active lifestyles — a high priority when there is so much talk about the expanding waistlines of children.

Megan Randall, a student teacher at Cordley School, said the event reminded students of the importance of exercise.

“The more we talk about it and the more we give kids events like these, the more the knowledge is going to grow,” Randall said.

Area schoolchildren participate in Kids Fitness Day on Kansas University's campus. From left are Erica Leonard and Caitlyn Edgington, both 9-year-olds from De Soto. The two were among hundreds of third-graders getting in shape Friday at KU's Anschutz Sports Pavilion.

John Drees, community education specialist for Lawrence Memorial Hospital, organized the event. Parents, teachers and Kansas University students oversaw the activities.

Running. Jumping. Hula hooping. Crawling. Rolling. Sweating. The students were expected to burn as many as 2,000 calories, said Traci Marcum, activity director.

“They’ll be tired tonight,” Marcum said. “Parents can thank me.”

Many children liked the break from school.

6News video: Third-graders have fun while getting fit (05-06-05)

“I think this is going to be the biggest exercise day we’ve ever had, ” said Madison Carbrey, a Sunflower School student, “and the funnest field trip.”