AUSTIN, Texas – Marathon Kids Connect has won best Cool Tools: Emerging Technology Solution in The EdTech Awards 2021.

The EdTech Awards recognize people in and around education—and the products they produce and lives they shape—for outstanding contributions in transforming education through technology to enrich the lives of learners everywhere. Established in 2010, the U.S.-based program acknowledges and celebrates the most exceptional innovators, leaders, and trendsetters in education technology.

Founded in Austin in 1995, Marathon Kids has transformed the lives of more than 2.5 million kids to date. Its mission is to get kids moving and set them on the path toward a lifetime of good health, with physical activity programming that is utilized in schools across the country, including all 81 elementary schools in Austin Independent School District.

Launched in 2020, Marathon Kids Connect is the nonprofit organization’s activity-tracking mobile app and cloud-based reporting platform. The platform makes it easier than ever for coaches, teachers, parents, and volunteers to track kids’ miles, log their active time, access free resources, and celebrate students’ progress throughout the year.

When the Covid-19 pandemic forced students to shift to remote learning, Marathon Kids Connect provided a seamless transition between school and home, enabling coaches and families to collaborate in helping kids stay active and continue hitting their physical activity milestones.

Finalists and winners for The EdTech Awards 2021 were announced to a worldwide audience of educators, technologists, students, parents, and policymakers interested in building a better future for learners and leaders in the education and workforce sectors.

“The worldwide pandemic put education and training to the test, but remote learning and working—in many unexpected ways—ultimately brought us closer,” said Victor Rivero, EdTech Digest’s editor-in-chief, who oversees the program.

Rivero credited leaders and innovators, and their tools and techniques, with keeping the learning world connected to knowledge and to each other. “After a year like no other—to all those innovators, leaders, and trendsetters in K–12, higher ed and workforce learning staying connected, productive, persistent, and getting us closer despite all challenges: We salute you.”

ABOUT EDTECH DIGEST AND THE EDTECH AWARDS

EdTech Digest, a leading source of cool tools, interviews and trends showcasing the future of learning, annually honors the best and brightest people, products and groups working in EdTech with The EdTech Awards. Cool Tool, Leadership and Trendsetter honorees span the K–12, Higher Ed and Skills & Workforce sectors.

The U.S.-based program is the largest recognition program in all of education technology, recognizing the biggest names in edtech—and those who soon will be. View a full list of this year’s The EdTech Awards finalists and winners here.