Marathon Kids is a FREE running/walking, nutrition, and schoolyard gardening program that promotes the development of a healthy and active lifestyle for your child.  Children run 26.2 miles (a full marathon distance) over the course of the school year, in increments of ¼ or ½ mile at a time.

Austin, Dallas, Houston, Rio Grande Valley, Los Angeles, Chicago,  Baltimore,  El Paso, and Navajo Nation (Window Rock, AZ).

Marathon Kids is for Kindergarten through 5th grade, or elementary age.  Some exceptions are made, for example if an elementary also includes 6th grade at the same school.  The participating ages range from 5 yrs to 11 yrs old.

Marathon Kids is 100%, absolutely FREE of charge!  Thanks to our our corporate sponsors, foundations, individual donors and fundraisers who believe in our mission, we are able to keep Marathon Kids FREE.

Marathon Kids began in 1996.

First, check with your child's school to see if they are already participating in the Marathon Kids program.  If they are, then the teachers will register your child. 

If your school does not participate, or if your child is home schooled, then you may register as a Homeschool/Individual Family.  You will first need to fill out this form:  http://www.marathonkids.org/school-request-form

Then, we will respond to you with registration instructions. 

You must be an elementary school located in or near one of our seven cities: Austin, Dallas, Houston, Rio Grande Valley, Los Angeles, Baltimore, or Chicago.  Public, private, homeschools and independent families are invited to participate.

Please fill out the contact form, and we will add your city to our wait list.  The addition of cities is dependent on a combination of funding and the overall need of that particular city.  We are exploring more economical ways to expand our program in the future.

Absolutely!  Marathon Kids is open to public, private, homeschools, and independent families.  Click here and fill out the school request form.  We will contact you with registration information.

Please fill out this form and we will contact you with registration information.

There are a couple of options.  You could participate in the program as an individual family by contacting us directly, or you could approach your child's PE teacher, principal, or school nurse to see if they have an interest in brining the Marathon Kids program to the school.  Please contact us here for assistance in presenting the program to your child's school administration.

Dress comfortably, and be ready to run/walk.  Remember to dress for the weather!  Parents and Teachers are encouraged to run/walk with their kids, so wear your tennis shoes!

Please click here for a listing of all upcoming events.

The Kick Off Celebration signifies the beginning of the journey toward your child reaching his or her goal of running/walking a marathon distance (26.2 miles).  They will receive a Reward Water Bottle at the Kick Off and Final Mile events ONLY, so make sure to be there!

You can find the sizing chart on the Resources page of this website, or click here.

At the event we ask everyone there to run/walk with your child to show your support of his or her goal and accomplishment.  The length run depends on the city, but varies from 1/4-1/2 mile around the track.  Directly after running your child will receive their reward, and have an opportunity to meet and thank the sponsors that keep the program free.  All city specific event information can be found on the event page.

The Finisher Shirts will be mailed to your school or home approximately 2-3 weeks after the Final Mile Medal Celebration (usually in April/May).   We recommend that you hold an assembly for the Marathon Kids Finishers to show off their shirts, and celebrate a job well done!!  (This is also a great photo op!)

Participants will be seated First Come, First to Run.
 
·        Volunteers will be on site to guide you to the nearest open seating when you arrive.

·        Groups who are arriving separately are encouraged to meet on the concourse level before entering the stands.

·        Groups are encouraged to bring a large school sign or banner, school stickers, or matching t-shirts to help keep your group together!

·        Safety is our first priority. Due to the growing size of the event, this method is the safest option for our participants.

Please visit the volunteer page of this website.  If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the volunteer form.