NEWS RELEASE Contact:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kristin Shaw, Director of Communications
June 21, 2018 kristin@marathonkids.org
512-477-1259
MARATHON KIDS ANNOUNCES FREE SUMMER PROGRAM TO UNITE SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL CONNECTION TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
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 the launch of Walk and Talk, a free summer program.
One way to get kids connected to their parents is through exercise, and this summer Marathon Kids is helping facilitate that through their free summer Walk and Talk challenge. When parents register online, they’ll receive a link to two resources: a set of topics– 26 in all – to match up with a mile of walking or running with their kids; and a special mileage log.
The topics cover a broad range, from health, education, and friendship, to knock-knock jokes and dreams of travel. Pittsburgh-based family physician Dr. Gilboa wrote starter questions for each topic, which are appropriate for the youngest child all the way into the college years.
“Research shows that when kids engage in physical activity with their parents, they have a much better chance of developing lifelong healthy habits,” said Marathon Kids CEO Cami Hawkins. “That’s good news for their bodies, and their minds. When they feel healthy, they perform better in school and can better cope with everyday stress.”
In schools all over the country, teachers are using social-emotional learning tools (SEL) to help raise kinder, more empathetic, more positive kids with fewer instances of depression and stress. SEL can improve achievement, and it also increases positive behaviors such as kindness, sharing, and empathy; and improves attitudes toward school.
The Walk and Talk program was created with that SEL connection in mind.
“Kids are sometimes more comfortable connecting when they’re engaged in activities with their parents, like coloring, or cooking, or exercising,” said Hawkins. “There’s something about being together side by side that helps get the ball rolling on good conversation.”
After 26(.2) miles, the parent and child will have completed the equivalent of a full marathon, and the idea is for them to get to know each other a little better in the process.
All are welcome to register for free here: MarathonKids.org/WalkandTalk
ABOUT MARATHON KIDS
Marathon Kids, a 501c3 non-profit organization, 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. Through these supporters and individual donors, Marathon Kids provides grant funding to school programs and opportunities to participate in out-of-school programs Marathon Kids at Home.
More information is available at marathonkids.org.
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