Nike, in partnership with Marathon Kids, today announced an exciting new commitment to inspire half a million kids to get moving and on the path to an active lifestyle. I thought this might be of interest to your readers! Marathon Kids is a nonprofit organization that aims to improve the health and happiness of children by providing them with the tools, motivation and support to live happier, healthier lifestyles. They provide fun, positive and transformational running experiences for kids ages 4-12, regardless of their abilities.
Active kids work and play better: they score up to 40% higher on tests, have healthier eating habits and a stronger self-image, and are 15% more likely to go to college. Running is one of the most accessible ways to have an active lifestyle, and having early positive experiences with running can help kids develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime.
It is with this in mind that Nike has partnered with Marathon Kids (both founded by runners*, for runners*) to expand its capacity and reach and get more kids active and running. (*If you have a body, you’re an athlete.)
The Marathon Kids program www.marathonkids.org encourages kids, ages 4-12, to achieve marathon milestones one lap at a time, one day at a time over the course of a 3-, 6- or 9-month running club season (or school year), encouraged by adult coaches and motivated by Nike incentives each time they meet a goal.
Based on a low-cost, easy-to-set-up model, the program can happen anywhere—whether it’s part of a school program, community organization, neighborhood, or even by families who are interested in getting more active together.