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Our Mission
Marathon Kids® is a free, twelve-year-old, trademarked, incremental, school and community based fitness program. It is a six month endurance-building running/walking, nutrition and schoolyard gardening project for K-5th graders and their families.

We are in six cities and growing “organically” across the world.  We passionately protect the integrity of the free program and work hard to keep it free for our target market:  children most vulnerable to sedentary lives, childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

Our mission is to build joyful community around children and be quickly accepted into public, private and home schools as a free, innovative, celebratory fitness and nutrition program, resonating with the child… and with the child’s family. The goal is for the child to develop the love and habit of moving through space and to carry forward the power of muscular, nutritional and psychological well being.

Can my child be a Marathon Kid®?
In chosen affiliate cities of this trademarked, copyrighted program, ANY child in Kindergarten through fifth grade can participate in Marathon Kids®, whether they are in public school, private school, or home school. Children with disabilities are also welcome to participate. Contact your PE teacher or Principal about joining. 

A Healthy World for Our Children
Marathon Kids® is especially important for the health of our world’s children. Although extremely popular with all children, this free running/walking, nutrition and schoolyard gardening program is especially important for those children and their families who are most at risk for obesity and Type 2 diabetes.  Marathon Kids® throws the net wide to reach the child (and the family!) who are at risk of sedentary lives.

Marathon Kids® helps children and families acquire the habit of a healthy lifestyle.

Media recognition
Marathon Kids® has been recognized and featured in USA Today, CNN, Associated Press stories in all major national daily papers, Runners World, Nurses Digest, Edutopia, CBS Radio, Weekly Reader, Scholastic News,  abc.com Prevention Magazine, Her Sports, Nick Jr; and more!

Where is Marathon Kids Offered?
Austin
Dallas
Houston
Texas Rio Grande Valley
Los Angeles, California
Baltimore, Maryland
Chicago, Illinois

The History of Marathon Kids®
Marathon Kids® was founded by public relations executive and runner Kay Morris in 1996 in Austin, Texas. Ms. Morris sought to encourage children and their families to build a love and habit of running and walking and making healthy food choices. Today, with the sponsorship of Whole Foods Market®, more than 120,000 little children in Texas, California, Maryland and Illinois now take part in what has become an annual program and much beloved tradition.

How do you keep Marathon Kids® free for so many children?
Marathon Kids® depends on corporate sponsorships, grants from non-profit foundations, individual donations and in-kind donations to fund 100% of its operations. Marathon Kids® is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

How can I help keep Marathon Kids free for all level income children?
Financial contributions from individuals are welcome and greatly appreciated. Marathon Kids® is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and needs your support!  The free program costs our nonprofit almost $10/child.  We have almost 120,000 children this 07-08 year.  We are eleven years old.  If you specify you would like a Tech Fit Shirt with a $40 donation, we will send one to you!  Just go to https://www.marathonkids.com/site/tshirts_donation.html. 

General contributions can be made by check or credit card.  Go to https://www.marathonkids.com/site/tshirts_donation.html to make a donation.

If you prefer, checks may be mailed to Marathon Kids at PO Box 5501, Austin, TX 78763.

I hear about Marathon Kids® everywhere! How can my town be a part of this?
More than 300 towns and cities and fifteen countries on our waiting list. We are building towards an international sponsor who will offer the opportunity to all the towns and countries inquiring. Please email Kay@MarathonKids.org  to put your town/city on the list and apply to be an affiliate.

Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are the backbone of the Marathon Kids® program. Hundreds of volunteers help Marathon Kids. If you are interested in volunteering at our Kick Off or Final Mile Medal Events, please contact:

Austin Area – Courtney@MarathonKids.org
Dallas Area – Terry@MarathonKids.org
Houston Area – Chauncey@MarathonKids.org
Texas Rio Grande Valley – Diana@MarathonKids.org
Los Angeles – Teresa@MarathonKids.org
Baltimore – Leisha@MarathonKids.org