Photo by: Rockinshutter
2014-15 Press/Media Kit
MARATHON KIDS is an Austin, Texas-based nonprofit
organization dedicated to providing the motivation, tools and support so
that children throughout the United States may live healthier, happier
lives.
Through school-based programming and a family-based initiative, Marathon Kids
•Gets kids, teachers and families moving through the 26.2 Mile Challenge
•Promotes positive nutritional habits to fuel healthy minds and bodies.
•Helps break the cycle of physical inactivity and chronic illness
MORE THAN JUST A RUNNING PROGRAM, MARATHON KIDS CHOOSE TO...
MOVE - Through the 26.2 Mile Challenge, Marathon Kids, is able to provide a fun and effective activity program to teachers,
students and parents. Implemented by individual teachers and embedded in the classroom curriculum, students of all abilities and
fitness levels commit to walking or running 26.2 miles (marathon) in one quarter to half mile at a time throughout the course of the
school year.
EAT- Marathon Kids encourages kids and families to fuel their bodies with healthy foods.
Through the Marathon Kids 26.2 Mile Challenge, students use a Fuel Log that encourages
them to try new fruits and vegetables, drink plenty of water, and choose healthy foods.
GROW TOGETHER- Marathon Kids is committed to strengthening communities.
Through the Marathon Kids Wellness Team initiative, our expert community organizers tran
and mentor engaged Marathon Kids parents, teachers and supporters, empowering them to
take health-promoting action in the schools and communities where they live, work and play.
FACT: 1 in 3 children are physically active everyday
SOLUTION: Over 300,000 Marathon Kids walked
7,886,200 MILES in the 2013-14 program year
FACT: Children perform better in school by moving
SOLUTION: Over 880 schools are currently under
the Marathon Kids program
MARATHON KIDS ACROSS THE NATION has
motivated and encouraged over 1,000 schools and 1.8 million children,
since it began in 1996. For the 2013-14 program year, Marathon Kids
surpassed it’s registration goal, awarding scholarships to over 300,000
children throughout the nation.
Marathon Kids Marquee Cities
As of September 2014
City
Started Active
Austin
Baltimore
Dallas
El Paso
Houston
Los Angeles
Rio Grande Valley
1996
2007
2003
2009
2004
2006
2008
19
7
11
6
10
8
6
Marathon Kids Service Areas
Since 2012
Abilene
Wichita Falls
Lubbock
Fort Worth
Waco
Marshall
Marathon Kids currently serves in 13 areas throughout nation and the state of Texas. The cities that are awarded scholarships are Austin, Baltimore, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Los Angeles and the Rio Grande Valley. Areas like Abilene, Fort Worth, Lubbock, Marshall,
Waco and Wichita Fallas joined the program in 2012 under a scalable program, where each area falls under the main tier of the organization and what is referred to a marquee city.
MARATHON KIDS sets the pace when it comes to children’s
health. It’s 26.2 Mile Challenge has shown how effective the program is
by providing a simple and fun way to move through running/walking.
Because of it’s effectiveness, many supporters throughout the nation have joined in on
the Marathon Kids track. School districts, parents, community advocates and corporate
sponsors have seen it’s positive path and happier that there is a program out there to
lead the next generation into being the next trend setters of health.
SIMPLY THE BEST
“This program is highly effective as it sets the stride to help children take ownership of
their own bodies and create a healthy future for themselves. This is what the teachers
and myself want to instill in our children and Marathon Kids does just that.”
~ Michelle Reznik, Supervisor of P.E., Austin ISD
“What we love about Marathon Kids is that their approach is fun and
simple, but also has a meaningful impact that inspires families to better
health. You know what else we love about Marathon Kids? It works and
they have the evidence base to prove it.”~ Dr. Aliya Hussaini, MSc, US
Health, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
“Marathon Kids creates the path for children to prevent themselves
from living a sedentary lifestyle. The way they show kids how to move
through a simple thing like running, to showing them what healthy foods
they should eat and bringing them into a community like their schools,
it says a lot about this program and I am very happy to be apart of it. ~
Leo Manzano, Two-Time Olympian
“A program like Marathon Kids is what we need today, because it helps
children develop healthy lifestyles and their program creates a new emphasis on getting children to exercise and eat right.” ~ Lee Leffingwell,
Mayor of Austin
PRESS CONTACT
Bianca J. Gamez
Public & Community Relations Coordinator
E: [email protected]
P: (512) 477-1259
C: (817) 437-2929
10,000 Marathon Kids Kick Off Their
26.2 Mile Challenge at UT
Through school-based activity programs and family
based initiatives, Marathon kids “gets kids, teachers
and families moving” through its 26.2 Mile Challenge
and “promotes positvie nutritional habits to fuel healthy
minds and bodies.”
fb.com/marathonkids
@MarathonKids
MarathonKids
youtube.com/marathonkids
Photo by: Rockinshutter
www.marathonkids.org
Marathon Kids
2512 South I-35, Suite 350
Austin, Texas 78704
Tel: 512-477-1259
Fax: 512-472-1260