NEWS RELEASE Contact:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kristin Shaw, Director of Communications
February 26, 2018 kristin@marathonkids.org
512-477-1259
MARATHON KIDS HOSTS 24-HOUR RUN-A-THON FEATURING OLYMPIAN SANYA RICHARDS-ROSS
AUSTIN, Texas – Marathon Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and happiness of children by engaging them in a positive, simple, goal-driven running and walking program, announced today a special 24-hour Run-A-Thon event starting March 1 during Amplify Austin.
Rogue Running will host the event, kicking off the Run-A-Thon with a family-friendly party from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 1. Volunteers may join the Run-A-Thon at Rogue Running and can secure their time slot with a suggested donation of $50. Attendees will enjoy free drinks; appetizers from Thundercloud Subs; live music; photos with Texas Stars’ mascot, Ringo; and a large silent auction with hundreds of items donated by local businesses. All donations directly support Marathon Kids programming and their mission to get kids moving.
Sanya Richards-Ross, a former University of Texas student and track and field athlete who competed for the United States at the Summer Olympics, will be a guest at the Run-A-Thon. Richards-Ross won gold in the 400 meters in 2012 after finishing third at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Richards-Ross has also won Olympic gold in the 4×400 meters relay at the 2004 Summer Olympics, the 2008 Summer Olympics, and the 2012 Summer Olympics. She was widely considered the best 400m runner in the world for several years, ranking first in the world from 2005-2009 and again in 2012.
Marathon Kids works closely with Austin Independent School District and registered nearly 34,000 runners this school year through partial grant funding. Many students have met their first marathon milestone (26.2 miles) and are working towards their 2nd, 3rd and 4th marathon milestones before the season’s end.
Physical inactivity among youth has created a nationwide pandemic, with youth obesity rates tripling since the 1980s. For 20 years, Marathon Kids has introduced youth in Austin to the joy of physical activity in a simple, fun and effective program. The program forges a lifelong commitment to exercise during the most formative years in a child’s life, one mile at a time. Last year, AISD elementary students improved their cardiovascular endurance from 67 percent to 72 percent.
“Marathon Kids was born in Austin, and this is where our heart lives,” said Marathon Kids CEO Cami Hawkins. “Austin ISD is a great partner, and we’re looking forward to expanding within Austin and the surrounding suburbs to help kids get healthier.”
Rogue Running is located at 410 Pressler St, Austin, TX 78703.
For more information: https://amplifyatx.ilivehereigivehere.org/marathonkids
ABOUT MARATHON KIDS
Marathon Kids helps kids unlock their potential and adults discover their inner coach by joining, starting or supporting a Marathon Kids running club in their home, school, out-of-school time organization or camp.
Kids in the program work at their own pace to run, or walk, the equivalent mileage of up to four marathons, and Marathon Kids provides the training, rewards, tools and resources to keep them moving. Marathon Kids works for any kid, at any fitness level. Kids set their goals and track their progress on a journey to complete four marathons, or 104.8 miles, over the course of the running club season. They run (or walk) a lap at a time, at a day at a time, and before they know it they’ve gone farther than they ever dreamed. Kids enrolled in the program have a network of dedicated adults showing them how it’s done, and most importantly, a motivated and inspiring coach supporting them every step of the way.
Corporate partners and supporters include Nike, HEB, the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, Active Schools, USATF Foundation, American Diabetes Association, Target, Tejas Trails, Athletes for Hope, LA Dodgers Foundation, and St. David’s Foundation.
More information is available at marathonkids.org.
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