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Join Team Marathon Kids!

Team Marathon Kids invites athletes of all levels and abilities to join our team and raise funds for the Marathon Kids Program.

Runners looking to join Team Marathon Kids for upcoming marathons are encouraged to fill out our interest form below.

Support Our Runners
Sign Up for the Next Marathon

Meet the Team Marathon Kids Runners

Amanda Lopez4
Amanda Lopez
Amanda, a native Austinite, is gearing up for her third full marathon at the NYC Marathon. Growing up in Austin, Texas, she witnessed firsthand the positive impact of Marathon Kids, both as a student in the Austin ISD and through her mother, a beloved veteran teacher who championed the program at Becker Elementary. Following in her parents' footsteps, Amanda attended the University of Texas at Austin before earning her law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law. Currently, Amanda serves as senior counsel for the Texas Comptroller’s Office. She remains deeply committed to her community, volunteering extensively across Austin, including her role on the Marathon Kids Board of Directors. In her free time, Amanda enjoys running around Town Lake with her dog Rosie and discovering the city's latest and greatest food trucks.
David Sherman2
David Sherman
David Sherman, an avid runner since 2019, has impressively completed five marathons. His passion for running extends to his family, with both of his children participating in Marathon Kids. David is thrilled to support this fantastic organization by giving back. When he’s not out on a run, he’s making the world a greener place by designing wind farms with Clearway Energy. Known for his love of clever race sign puns and enthusiastic high-fives from spectators, David brings joy and dedication to every race he runs.
Edwin Olivares2 (1)
Edwin Olivares
Edwin Olivares, originally from Maracaibo, Venezuela, now calls Atlanta, GA, his home, where he works as an engineer. Since moving to the United States in 2011, Edwin has built a fulfilling life with his wife and two children. He is passionate about running, playing soccer, and enjoying the outdoors, and he also loves cooking and traveling with his family, always seeking new adventures. An avid athlete, Edwin has completed several half marathons, a full marathon in Rome, and an Olympic distance triathlon. This year, he is particularly excited about running the NYC Marathon on his 35th birthday, a milestone that underscores his dedication to fitness and personal achievement. Adding to the significance of this event is his commitment to running for the Marathon Kids Foundation, an organization that promotes an active lifestyle for children. Through his participation, Edwin hopes to inspire and make a meaningful impact on the next generation, encouraging them to lead healthy, active lives.
3
Erin Arbuckle
Meet Erin Arbuckle, a former professional ballet and contemporary dancer who grew up in San Diego and New York City. Erin now directs and teaches at a local dance studio in San Diego. In her free time, she enjoys running, supporting local breweries, and spending time with her husband and their dog, Dexter. A passionate advocate for the transformative power of physical movement, Erin is thrilled to run with and support Team Marathon Kids this fall!
4
Kayleigh Williamson
Meet Kayleigh Williamson, an inspiring trailblazer who, in 2023, became the first woman with Down syndrome to conquer the prestigious New York City Marathon, one of the largest and most celebrated marathons in the world. With 23 half marathons already under her belt, Kayleigh is gearing up to return to New York City this fall for her second marathon. This time, she's on a mission to inspire and uplift others, raising funds for Marathon Kids to help them achieve their dreams. Kayleigh’s journey to the starting line is not just about personal triumph; it’s about empowering others to realize their own potential.
2
Laura Singer
Laura Singer grew up in New Jersey, but now calls Washington, DC home. She picked up running after graduating Syracuse University and now has run 26 half marathons. She is excited to make the New York Marathon her first official race. Laura enjoys hiking, traveling, and cheering on her favorite sports teams. She's served as a youth coach for track, soccer, and swim teams and she is so excited to support the mission of Marathon Kids.
1
Chad & Mandi Albert
Hi, I’m Chad Albert, 37, from Dallas, Texas! I work in commercial real estate and graduated from Indiana University. I’ve run a few half marathons, but the 2024 NYC Marathon will be my first full marathon. My amazing wife Mandi will be running with me and our three adorable daughters—Blakely (5), Palmer (3), and Millie (2)—will all be in NYC to cheer us on! Hi, I’m Mandi Abert, proud mom to three wonderful girls—Blakely (5), Palmer (3), and Millie (2)—and wife to Chad, who is also running for Team Marathon Kids! We call Dallas, TX home, where our days are filled with family fun, cheering on our girls at their sports events, and making lasting memories with friends. I’m thrilled to be running my first marathon in New York City, especially alongside Team Marathon Kids!
McKenna Brooks1
McKenna Brooks
Hi! I’m McKenna, a passionate runner and mom! I've been running half and full marathons since 2010, when my son was born and I discovered the incredible outlet and me-time that running provides. Over the years, I’ve fallen in love with the sport, the supportive community, and the immense sense of accomplishment that comes with every race. I’m a Type 1 Diabetic, and have an incredibly supportive family: my wonderful husband, our two amazing children (a daughter, 11, and a son, 13), and our three furry babies. When I'm not running, I own and manage a marketing consulting company in Cincinnati, balancing my professional life with my personal passions. I am absolutely thrilled to join the MK team to run the NYC Marathon. This opportunity allows me to support our local kids while living out a dream of running through the iconic boroughs of New York City. As a proud McCombs Texas MBA graduate (Class of 2008), I also cherish the strong Austin roots of MK.
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Will Matthews
Hi I’m Will Matthews, a commercial banker and sideline reporter from Austin, Texas. In a former life, I played pro football for the Detroit Lions and college ball for the Longhorns. Now, I’m a husband and dad to three young boys—best job ever! As an ex-athlete and father, I know the importance of staying active. Marathon Kids is all about using the power of running and goal-setting to promote healthier lifestyles for kids, and I’m all in on their mission. Running helped me through tough times after football, and I use it to tackle challenges and stay in shape. I’m passionate about mentorship and passing along my experiences. I also serve on multiple boards, finding that sweet spot where purpose and profit meet. Although I’ve never run a marathon—ex-pro football players don’t usually go that far—I’m pumped for this new challenge. It’ll be tough, but I’m ready to put my pro sports focus and training to the test.
Support Our Runners

Team Marathon Kids Marathons

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2024 TCS New York City Marathon

Sunday, November 3, 2024

We're thrilled to be a first-year charity partner for the TCS New York City Marathon, offering our Team Marathon Kids runners the chance to experience this world-famous event.

By participating, they will help raise funds to support schools with free physical activity programs, resources, and technology to promote healthy habits and earn some fantastic incentives along the way.

Support Our TCS New York City Marathon Runners
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2025 Austin Marathon

Sunday, February 16, 2025

Through our partnership with Austin Marathon Gives during the 2024 Austin Marathon, Team Marathon Kids athletes raised $28,051 to provide schools with access to the Marathon Kids program for free.

We're currently recruiting Team Marathon Kids runners for the 2025 Austin Marathon. Learn more about this opportunity!

About Austin Marathon Gives

The Austin Marathon Gives program connects non-profit organizations to passionate race participants who want to fundraise and raise awareness for causes that give back to our local community. 

Marathon Kids is pleased to be an official Run for Charity partner of the 2025 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K through Austin Marathon Gives. Your training journey is a challenge and has a deep personal meaning—join our team and add even more meaning to your training and race day miles by supporting a program that encourages active kids and helps develop the next generation of runners.

Join Team Marathon Kids for the Austin Marathon

About Marathon Kids

Founded in 1995, Marathon Kids is the only evidence-based structured physical activity program specifically designed for children in the US. Using technology and research-proven methods, the Marathon Kids Program aims to get kids moving! With the help of coaches and mentors, kids set big goals and are challenged to run, jog, walk, or move the equivalent of four (or more!) marathons over the course of a season or school year.

The Marathon Kids Mission

The World Health Organization recommends 60 minutes of daily activity for kids, yet only 1 in 4 students are reaching that goal. 

Research shows that when children participate in Marathon Kids, they have a better chance of achieving the recommended amount of daily physical activity. That’s great news for their bodies and minds! When kids are active, not only are they forming life-long healthy physical habits, they are also happier and perform better in school. 

Our programming is built on six evidence-based pillars for long-term healthy behavior adoption.

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Tracking

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Goal Setting

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Modeling the Way

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Social Support

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Rewarding

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Celebrating

The Marathon Kids Program provides training, tools, and resources to the dedicated coaches, PE teachers, and other community volunteers who motivate kids to take their first step towards a healthier future and positively impact mental health.

Through movement, we show kids they can achieve more than they ever thought possible!

QUESTIONS?

Please contact development@marathonkids.org
with any questions about Team Marathon Kids and
the registration/fundraising process.

Sign up to stay connected with Marathon Kids

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