The Salt Lake City Marathon has created a unique program for children ages 5-12. The SLC Kids Marathon and Fitness Program will put your child on the road to a healthy lifestyle while working through the 26-unit course of activities related to fitness, nutrition, and good deeds. Our goal is to help provide a basis for a lifetime of fitness and healthy habits for children -- not just a one-time activity. Activities will encourage healthy living through mentoring, goal-setting, teamwork, and participation in fitness-related activities.

The organizers of the Salt Lake City Marathon enthusiastically support physical education programs and organized activities in Utah that promote and maintain healthy lifestyles. Such programs are in great need, as evidenced by startling statistics from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that over three times as many children today are overweight as were in 1980.

 

    

Online registration available until April 13, 2010.  

 

To promote the setting and achievement of goals, to help fight childhood obesity by teaching good habits and fundamentals that are part of a healthy lifestyle, and to build the self-esteem of children by providing a basis for a lifetime of health and fitness.

 

To achieve this, the Kids Marathon will assist and support parents, teachers, instructors and others who influence a child’s behavior and activity, in order to help our youth make smart and healthy choices by providing positive experiences at a critical age.

 

 

The program is designed to be an after-school activity complemented by the fitness-related lessons provided in schools and at home. Parents are asked to assist the child in selecting and promoting steps of accomplishment.

Each unit should last 15 - 30 minutes, and may constitute reading one book/chapter on nutrition, helping with a meal, or doing a good deed or activity. The premise of the program is to complete 26 steps in each of the three areas, similar to a marathon, which is 26.2 miles.

Each participating child must complete ONE Fitness Activity + ONE Nutrition Activity or Lesson + ONE Good Deed to equal ONE of the 26 course accomplishments.  The program features the following health-related activities:

1) Fitness 

Fitness examples: Run, jog, walk, tumble, jump rope, trampoline and reading about fitness related topics

 

2) Nutrition:
Nutrition examples: Eating right, identifying foods, learning about vitamins & minerals

3) Good Deeds: 26 Units
Examples: Helpful chores and tasks around the home, in school, and in the community.

Upon completion of each step, the participant will “check off” the step on his/her Progress Poster until 26 steps are complete. The "course" accomplishments will culminate in a 1K run/walk event at the Gateway on Saturday, April 17, 2010.

 

MILE MARKER EVENTS:

 

Also available FREE of charge to Kids Marathon participants are 'Mile Marker' celebrations designed to encourage children in their journey leading up to the 1K run/walk. Mile Marker events are not mandatory for participation, but they are fun events that focus on fitness, nutrition, and good deed objectives of the program.

 

Registrations for the Kids Marathon will be accepted on-site at any Mile Marker event. 

 

MARCH 2010 - TBD

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APRIL 2010 - TBD

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Date: Saturday, April 17, 2010
Time: 10:15 am (warm-up & stretching starts at 10:00 am)

Location: *NEW START LINE LOCATION* Kids Marathon start line will be on the WEST SIDE (500 West) of The Gateway, approximately 50 North.

The Gateway is located at 400 W 100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101.  Finish line is next to the Olympic Legacy Fountain within The Gateway.
 
Don't forget to wear your official SLC Kids Marathon shirt and come early to take part in all of the day's festivities. 
 
This event is held in conjunction with the Salt Lake City Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K, and Bike Tour. Kids will get to cross a safe, sectioned-off area of the same finish line as adult marathoners! One parent/guardian per registered child can run/walk with the child at no cost. Parents are also welcome to cheer at the finish line.  

 
All children participating in the 1K will receive a finisher's medal and refreshments. There will not be an official finish time offered, as the event focuses on participation rather than competition.
 
PLEASE NOTE:  While we are glad to provide a fun and healthy event, please help us keep your children safe! Please do not drop off/leave your child unattended at the Kids Marathon start area before the actual stretching/lining up time.

 

 

$16 per child

Each participating child will receive an introduction letter, a Progress Poster, a book reading list (age specific), nutrition information, and a program outline to take home to their parents to assist them in the program.  Every registered child will also receive a Kids Marathon T-shirt, a finisher's medal and a goody bag filled with items from our sponsors!

 

 

 

 

Parents may register their child(ren) a number of different ways:

 

1.  Online

     Online registration available until April 13, 2010. 

    

 

2.  Mile Marker Events

     See 'Concept' section for 2010 dates and locations

 

3.  Mail-in Registration

     Mail-in information is TBD.

     

    

4.  Quality of Life Expo

     April 15th and 16th, 2010

     Registration closes at 6:00pm on Friday, April 16th.

 

Welcome packet & progress poster will be mailed to the address provided on your registration.  Please allow about a week for your child's packet to arrive in the mail.

 

Race Bibs, T-shirt, and goody bag for all registered children can be picked up at the Quality of Life Expo.  The Quality of Life Expo will be held at the Salt Palace Convention Center (100 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101) on Thursday, April 15th (11:00am - 7:00pm) and Friday, April 16th, 2010 (11:00am – 8:00pm).