MARATHON KIDS LAUNCHES VIRTUAL “MARATHON KIDS RUN WILD” CHALLENGE TO CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF GETTING KIDS MOVING
For Release: 2/24/2021
AUSTIN, Texas – For 25 years, Marathon Kids has been encouraging kids to move for their mental and physical health. This year, that has been more important than ever before. That’s why the nonprofit is inviting kids and adults to run wild this spring, with a virtual physical activity challenge!
From March 1 to April 30, Marathon Kids is challenging people of all ages to be active 60 minutes a day for 30 days. 60 minutes is the amount of daily active minutes recommended for children, yet only one in five achieve that goal. In a partnership with FitRankings, Marathon Kids will be tracking active minutes from participants across the country.
To register for this epic virtual event, visit marathonkids.org/run-wild. Registration is free, but everyone is invited to donate and receive an event T-shirt. Participants are encouraged to check the FitRankings leaderboard throughout the challenge, to watch their active minutes add up during the challenge.
Founded in Austin in 1995, Marathon Kids is a nonprofit on a mission to get kids moving. The Marathon Kids program is implemented in Austin ISD districtwide, as well as hundreds of other schools across the country. Kids who participate in the running and walking program set goals to cover a cumulative four marathons, or 104.8 miles, over the course of the school year, one mile at a time.
As of 2020, the Marathon Kids program is offered at no charge for all schools and community organizations and includes access to Marathon Kids Connect, the organization’s new physical activity tracking app and reporting platform. Marathon Kids Connect was developed to make it easier than ever to track and report on kids’ active time, and it has helped to meet students’ shifting needs during the 2020–21 school year.
More About Marathon Kids
Marathon Kids has inspired more than 2.5 million children over the past 25 years to live happier, healthier lives.
When kids move their bodies with Marathon Kids, they have a much better chance of getting enough daily physical activity. That’s good news for their bodies and their minds. When kids feel healthy, they perform better in school, exhibit better behavior, and make better choices.
Research shows that the Marathon Kids program gets kids active and jump-starts long-lasting good health. Through running, Marathon Kids shows kids they can achieve more than they ever thought possible. Visit MarathonKids.org to learn more.