MARATHON KIDS LAUNCHES VIRTUAL “WE RUN THE WORLD” RELAY PRESENTED BY ACADEMY SPORTS + OUTDOORS, TO CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF GETTING KIDS MOVING
For Release: 8/11/2020
AUSTIN, Texas – For 25 years, Marathon Kids has been encouraging kids to run for their mental and physical health with real results. That’s why they’re kicking off their 25th anniversary season with a virtual relay race that will bring together athletes, hikers, walkers, and past and current Marathon Kids runners from all over to celebrate this historic milestone, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
During the entire month of September, Marathon Kids is asking people to come together around the country to run or walk a cumulative 25,000 miles—slightly more than the circumference of the earth! In a partnership with FitRankings, they’ll be tracking miles from participants near and far.
To register for this epic virtual event, visit marathonkids.org/weruntheworld. Registration starts at $10, but everyone is invited to pay what they can. There are rewards at every donation level from $10 to $50, which include a virtual race bib, virtual badges that celebrate personal mile markers, event T-shirts, and more!
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, one mile at a time over the course of the school year.
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 will help to meet students’ shifting needs if the 2020–21 school year includes periods of distance-learning from home. Teachers and coaches can use the platform and app to connect, get involved, and support their student runners in making progress, hitting milestones, and celebrating achievements.
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 participate in 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 healthy habits. Through running, Marathon Kids shows kids they can achieve more than they ever thought possible. Visit MarathonKids.org to learn more.
About Academy Sports + Outdoors
At Academy Sports + Outdoors, we kickstart fun by inspiring play. At each of our 259 locations, we carry a wide range of apparel, footwear, hunting, fishing and camping equipment, patio sets and barbeque grills, along with sports and recreation products, at everyday low prices. For more information about Academy Sports + Outdoors, visit academy.com.