PRE-REGISTRATION PACKETmarathonkids.org.s3.amazonaws.com/Programs14-15/Pre...Marathon Kids’...

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PRE-REGISTRATION PACKET

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© 2015 Marathon Kids, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from Marathon Kids.

“Finishing a marathon isn’t just an athletic achievement. It’s a state of mind; a state of mind that says anything is possible.”

John Hanc Award-winning writer and runner

SECTION ONE: ON YOUR MARKFind the information and inspiration you need in this section and prepare to join the Marathon Kids movement.

We’re Marathon Kids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6 Run Club Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7 We Need You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8

SECTION TWO: GET SETPlanning your club is a customizable experience – you determine what works best for you. Use these resources to plan for and register your running club.

Identify Your Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10 Game Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 11 Invite the Community to Run with You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Register Your Running Club Online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 15 What’s Next? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 16

SECTION THREE: GO!Print out or make copies of the resources in this section to help you with the steps of beginning your run club.

How to Talk About Marathon Kids to Kids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 18 Participant List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 19 Sample Flyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 20 Sample Signup Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 21 Sample Email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22

SECTION FOUR: FAQS FAQs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 26

ONLINE RESOURCESAdditional online resources can be found at www.marathonkids.org/sign-up/running-club-resources

• Why Marathon Kids• Marathon Kids Do Better• Marathon Kids By the Numbers

• Fundraising Guide• Registration Steps

Table of Contents

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ON YOUR MARK

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READY, SET, RUNThe journey to completing a marathon begins with a commitment to run. Tracking miles over the course of several months, Marathon Kids makes it possible for every kid—from any starting point—to run a marathon. Or two. Or three. Or four. Maybe more.

Sound crazy? It’s not.

Marathon Kids running clubs have proven effective—even transformational—for millions of kids, organizations, schools and families. Kids of all levels and abilities run a lap at a time, a day at a time, and before they know it they’ve gone farther than they ever dreamed. And they keep on running.

In the spirit of helping kids to realize their greatest potential, Marathon Kids and Nike have teamed up to take this youth running program to the next level. There’s never been a better time to join.

Ready to get kids moving? Starting a running club is as easy as lacing up your shoes. Let’s go!

SURPRISINGLY SIMPLE, TOTALLY FUNMarathon Kids is for any child who wants (or needs) to move. Each Marathon Kid makes a commitment to run. They set goals. They track their progress. They challenge themselves.

Marathon Kids’ runners are inspired to keep pace by earning special Nike rewards for every marathon they complete.

Deep down, it’s about much more than the prizes, though. Kids gain self-confidence. They proudly see themselves as athletes—maybe for the first time. They become motivated to eat (and be) healthy off the track. They feel great. And they have fun doing it!

We’re Marathon Kids

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COMMIT. PLEDGE. SET GOALS.

•Make a game plan.

•Register.

• Receive your Marathon Kids kit.

• Rally supporters.

•Calculate your goals.

•Commit to run.

• Kick it off— ready, set, go!

TRAIN. COACH. RUN.

•Run. And run.

•Fuel your body.

• Log it. Track it. Promote it.

•Earn rewards.

•Run some more.

FINISH. CELEBRATE.

•As you near the finish line, be proud of your progress.

•Finish strong.

•Get your final reward.

•Celebrate with friends and family.

GET READY TO DO IT AGAIN.

•Kids: Keep running. Now you know how much fun it is. Plus, your body wants to stay moving.

• Coaches: Recover. Game plan for next season. Rally support. Register kids again. Run.

Timeline

PHASE 1 PHASE 2 PHASE 3 PHASE 4

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RUNNING—IT’S SO SIMPLE. BUT IT CAN TRANSFORM A KID’S LIFE. IT CAN CHANGE YOURS, TOO! By becoming a Marathon Kids Coach, you’ll launch kids on a life-changing journey to run four marathons. You might even join them. And they’ll have fun the entire way.

Getting kids active at a young age is game changing. The research has proven it. Our early years are crucial for creating a lifelong commitment to physical activity—and establishing the confidence, will power and emotional well-being that comes with it.

We need passionate leaders. We need people who care about kids—about improving their lives and enriching their community.

WE NEED YOU.The information in this Pre-Registration Packet will guide you through the process of starting your very own Marathon Kids running club.

We’re glad you’re here—and the kids will be, too. Together, we can transform their future and inspire their full potential.

– The Marathon Kids Team

We Need You

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GET SET

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Identify Your Coach

Does this sound like you? Or someone you know?Become a Coach. Create change today.

Every running club needs a Coach to act as the leader in charge of organizing, motivating and encouraging runners to go the extra mile. No prior experience is necessary. This can be anyone—a teacher, parent or volunteer from the community. It could be you.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A MARATHON KIDS RUNNING CLUB COACH:• Enjoys empowering and motivating kids

• Wants to make a difference

• Eager to set and achieve goals

• Interested in improving his or her community’s health

• Sparks change by modeling the way

• Excited about joining a running movement

RESPONSIBILITIES OF A MARATHON KIDS RUNNING CLUB COACH:• Encourages and motivates participants

to reach their goal of running and/or walking the distance of four marathons (104.8 miles) incrementally over the course of the season

• Leads the running club’s schedule and communication

• Plans and organizes the run club Kickoff Ceremony and Finisher Celebration

• Serves as the clubs’ main point of contact with Marathon Kids

• Shares Marathon Kids communications with participants and parents

• Distributes running club rewards based on the incentive strategy – after kids complete each marathon milestone distance

• Tracks participants’ miles along the way and reports final mileage totals on the Marathon Kids Finisher Survey

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Just as a marathon runner preps for the big race, it’s important to plan the details before your club hits the track.

JUMP-START YOUR RUN CLUB BY THINKING THROUGH THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

Who will lead the pack? Identify your club Coach.

Who will run? Marathon Kids running clubs are designed for kids age 4 years and up. Please consider your expertise and experience when determining which age groups (Pre-K–6th grade) you will invite to be in your running club. [circle below]

How many kids will run? What is your goal for the number of participants?

Where does the running club take place? SCHOOL

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION

NEIGHBORHOOD

OTHER

NUMBER OF RUNNERS

Pre-K K 1st 2nd

3rd 4th 5th 6th

OTHER

Make Your Game Plan

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When and for how long will they run? Each participant has a goal of accomplishing the distance of four marathons (104.8 miles) incrementally, over the course of the running club season. In order for your participants to reach this long-term goal, we suggest your Club holds at least 60 sessions. Here is some guidance to determine season length:

Decide which days your club will meet, then the number of weeks (season length) in the season to calculate how many sessions your run club will host.If you don’t have at least 60 sessions planned, it is not likely that your participants will be able to accomplish their goal of reaching 104.8 miles. Keep in mind the ages and abilities of your participants when planning. Distance goals can be modified for participants with special needs.

3 MONTHS (12 WEEKS) RECOMMEND: AT LEAST 5 DAYS A WEEK FOR 3 MONTHS, EQUALING 60 SESSIONS.

S M T W T F S WHICH DAYS?CIRCLE 5 DAYS

WHICH MONTHS?WRITEMONTH

MONTH 1 MONTH 2 MONTH 3



WHICH MONTHS?WRITE MONTH





WHICH MONTHS?WRITE MONTH




Contact us if you have additional questions at [email protected] or 512-477-1259.

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How many minutes of each session will be dedicated to warm-up, running and cool down?

Think about the typical session structure. Marathon Kids offers session cards to help you plan each program session. Will each session take place before, during or after school, or on the weekends?

What are your key dates? From your Kickoff Ceremony to your Finisher Celebration—dial in your year. Time, date and location of each.

WARM-UP

KICKOFF CEREMONY FINISHER CELEBRATION

RUNNING COOL DOWN

BEFORE SCHOOL DURING SCHOOL AFTER SCHOOL WEEKEND

LOCATION

DATE

TIME

LOCATION

DATE

TIME

How will you rally the community? Use this packet’s letter templates to enlist support—from school leaders and sponsors to anyone who wants to see how far these kids can go.

How will kids join your Marathon Kids running club? Use the registration form included in this packet.

How will you recruit help? Up to four additional Coaches and volunteers can get an official T-shirt.

MAKE IT OFFICIAL• Register online: www.marathonkids.org/sign-up/start-a-running-club.

• Submit payment for your club.

• Virtually meet your club’s Marathon Kids contact, with whom you’ll collaborate along the way.

HIT THE GROUND RUNNINGYou’ll receive your Coach’s Guide with all of the planning, tools and incentives you need to be a rock star Coach.

COACH 1 COACH 2 COACH 3 COACH 4

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REACHING KIDS & PARENTSWhen inviting kids to join your Marathon Kids running club, be sure they know that everyone is invited. They don’t have to be the fastest, run farthest, or have perfect form—but they have to be willing to try. They are the kids who are motivated to set a goal and do their best to work toward it.

Online -

• Send an email

• Post on social media (Twitter, Facebook)

• Post on neighborhood groups (listservs, newsletters)

Flyers – Post flyers at parks, grocery stores, places of worship and other places in your community.

At Schools – Put a message on your school marquee, school website, in your kids’ take-home folders and on morning announcements.

Information Session – Host a simple session in your community to tell people more about your Marathon Kids running club.

Community Events – Host a booth or pass out flyers at events in your community.

VOLUNTEERSSocial support is a great way to ensure that your club runs smoothly and encourages lifelong healthy habits. Consider asking parents, friends, coworkers or neighbors to be your running club volunteers. The Coach’s Guide will provide you with volunteer roles such as Pacer (a volunteer who runs with the run club and sets the pace for the day) and Mileage Tracker (a volunteer who helps the runners keep track of their distance for the day).

Make sure to keep track of your volunteers’ names, contact information and T-shirt sizes before registering.

COMMUNITYIf you need to build support with your supervisor, your community, or at a local business, find sample resources to invite them to help your club on the Running Club Resources page of the Marathon Kids website, www.marathonkids.org/sign-up/running-club-resources.

Use the Participant List on page 19 to keep track of kids once they’ve joined.

Invite the Community to Run with You

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Register Your Club Online

1. Go to www.marathonkids.org/sign-up/start-a-running-club.

2. Click the “Sign Up” button to start the registration process.

3. If you are a new Coach, create a login by selecting a username, email address and password. If you are a returning Coach, enter in your username and password.

IS YOUR CLUB READY TO RUN? FOLLOW THE STEPS BELOW TO BEGIN THE ONLINE REGISTRATION PROCESS.

Choose a name for your running club. This is how your club will be known on the website and to parents and kids who want to join.

You are now at your Coach Profile page. Here, you will be able to see your running clubs, interact with other Coaches, join groups and forums, and access the Coach’s Club.

From your Coach Profile, click on “Complete your running club registration.”

Follow the online registration steps. Click “Save and Continue Later” at any time to be emailed a link to return to your stopping point later.

When you’ve completed registration and paid for your club—get ready to run.

If you have questions at any point during the registration process, contact us at [email protected] or 512-477-1259.

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1. CONFIRM: You should receive a confirmation email right away with information regarding where to access necessary resources. IMPORTANT TIP: Make sure you can receive messages from all emails ending in @marathonkids.org. Check with your technology department if you are using a work email address.

2. CONNECT: Get immediate access to the online Coach’s Club community including best practices and additional resources at www.marathonkids.org/login. Connect with all Marathon Kids social media: @marathonkids facebook.com/marathonkids

3. REVIEW: Your Coach’s Guide can be accessed in the Coach’s Club at www.marathonkids.org/login. The Guide will walk you through everything you need to know about running your club from mile one to mile 104.8.

4. KICKOFF: Plan and hold your Kickoff Ceremony. This event, whether small or large, honors the start of your running club season and inspires kids to meet their long-term goal of achieving 104.8 miles, incrementally, over the course of your running club. Tips and tricks for a successful event can be accessed in the Event Guide in the Coach’s Club.

5. RUN: The Coach’s Guide walks you through setting up your club, gaining community support, motivating participants, tracking mileage, incentivizing and much more.

6. FINISH & CELEBRATE: Plan and hold your Finisher Celebration. This event is the culmination of your running club season and celebrates the achievement of every runner.

7. REPEAT: Sign up for another season!

All Clubs follow a general timeline, with a lot of room to customize the experience. Below is an outline of what you can expect to do next:

WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHERWe’ll send you motivational messages as well as links to additional resources over the course of your running club. These are purposely designed to help keep you on track, motivate you and remind you of what a great step you’ve taken toward improving the health of your community. Our dedicated staff is always a phone call away if you get stuck or need additional help. You can reach us at 512-477-1259 or email us at [email protected].

After Registering, What’s Next?

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GO!

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How to Talk About Marathon Kids to Kids

When inviting kids to join your Marathon Kids running club, be sure they know that everyone is invited. They don’t have to be the fastest, run farthest, or have perfect form – but they have to be willing to try.

Every participant in your running club needs to know that their goal is 104.8 miles. They need to know that their goal is achievable, and that they are working toward that goal at every session. Here are some topics to talk about with your kids as you recruit them or during your first session.

GET EXCITED ABOUT THE COMMITMENT “How many miles is a marathon? That’s right—26.2.”

“Who thinks they can run four marathons during [insert length of season in weeks/months]?”

“Do you know how many miles that is? 104.8!”

“If you think that’s too many, do you think you can run 1-2 miles [provide specific details if needed] each time we meet? Awesome!”

“You can do this!”

HOW WILL WE CELEBRATE?“Guess what? Marathon Kids and Nike are challenging you to run four marathons, or 104.8 miles, during our season. You will earn a cool reward for each marathon you complete!”

“Raise your hand if you want to know what the rewards are.” [Tell or show kids the rewards.]

“Why do you think Marathon Kids and Nike are challenging you to run? [You’re looking for answers like: Exercise is good for you, it helps you to be healthy, do better in school, sleep better at night, etc.]

WHAT CAN YOU COUNT ON ME FOR? “I’m your Coach, and my job is to encourage you to achieve your goals.” [Insert information here to talk about specific ways you, as a Coach will do this.]

SHOW ME YOU’RE IN! “Now raise your hand again if you think that with you trying your best, along with your parents’ and my help, you can run four marathons this season. Great!”

“Kids everywhere will be taking this challenge. The question is: Will you?”

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PARTICIPANT NAME SHIRT SIZES GRADE PAIDADDITIONAL

INFORMATIONFIRST LAST

YOUTH ADULT PRE-K-6TH YES/NO

S M L S M L XL

Participant List

WHAT IS MARATHON KIDS?

Getting kids active at a young age is game changing. These early years provide a critical

window for creating a lifelong commitment to physical activity.

Marathon Kids running clubs are easy to set up and require little to no equipment. They

are inclusive, allowing everyone to move and set individual goals.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW. MARATHONKIDS.ORG OR CALL US: 512-477-1259

WHAT DO YOU GET?

FUN. A simple and effective program that gets kids moving.

GOALS. Opportunities for kids to learn effective goal setting.

EXCITEMENT. Fueling kids so they’ll be active in other areas of life.

REWARDS. Incentives and rewards for kids who meet their goals.

Come Join Us

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Participant First Name: Participant Last Name:

Grade level (circle one): Pre-K K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th

Allergies, Medications, or Accommodations (list any):

Parent First Name: Parent Last Name:

Phone Number: Email address:

Emergency Contact (other than Parent) Name:

Emergency Contact Phone Number:

T-shirt size (circle one) *remember children will grow over time! YS YM YL AS AM AL AXL

Return this form to:

Sign-up Deadline:

Once our Running Club is officially registered, parents will receive an emailed Parent Pledge and instructions on how to stay involved.

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Morbi placerat maximus dui at ultricies. Cras rhoncus fermentum elit, id dapibus massa placerat in. Vivamus scelerisque a diam ac varius. Fusce sed magna in urna sollicitudin pharetra eu sodales magna. Quisque et sem euismod, pharetra est vitae, malesuada dolor. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Curabitur auctor placerat nunc et pharetra.

Cras dolor nisi, hendrerit sit amet condimentum id, ullamcorper eget sapien. Etiam eu vestibulum metus. Pellentesque venenatis imperdiet risus, ac varius erat fermentum sed. Ut nec elit pulvinar dolor facilisis tincidunt vulputate ut arcu. Nunc eu urna aliquam, vulputate mi in, varius quam. Aenean varius, velit sit amet finibus maximus, erat odio finibus eros, vitae lacinia risus leo in ex. Donec eget orci ornare tortor viverra malesuada ut sit amet velit. Mauris eget commodo nisi, eget imperdiet lorem. Proin augue augue, vulputate quis dictum ut, maximus sed velit. Mauris vestibulum dapibus risus id consectetur. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Nullam egestas nunc nec massa suscipit rutrum.

Name: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date:_________________________________________________________________________________

Join our Marathon Kids Running ClubPARTICIPANT SIGN-UP FORM

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Sample Email to Parents

HI! COME JOIN US.

My name is [name] and I am a________________________ [neighbor, friend, teacher].

I’m coaching a Marathon Kids running club close to you. I’m so excited to bring this to our ____________ [school, community] because I know the importance of getting kids active at an early age. These early years provide a critical window for creating a lifelong commitment to physical activity, and I’m dedicated to being a part of this.

I chose to start a Marathon Kids running club because they are easy to set up and require little to no equipment. They are inclusive, allowing everyone to move and set individual goals.

This fun and exciting program will help your kids set and achieve long-term goals, have fun and earn awesome rewards for their accomplishments. Learn more at www.marathonkids.org.

[Fill in details about your club here.]

I’d like to invite your child to come run with [running club name].

Please complete the attached form and return it to me with payment by [date].

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Any 10 year old will tell you— nothing good ever happens when you’re standing still.

Now’s the time. And the goal is clear— get your kids and your community moving.

Coaches everywhere are championing this movement, and we invite you to join them.

With your passion

and our world-class program, we can help change the world …

one step at a time.

You are ready to be great.

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FAQS

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WHY A RUNNING CLUB?Running clubs are easy to set up and require little to no equipment. Running clubs are inclusive, allowing everyone to move and set individual goals. At Marathon Kids, we’ve seen how running clubs bring the community together and jump-start healthy, long-lasting change.

WHY A MARATHON KIDS RUNNING CLUB?Simply put, we’re the best. Our staff has dedicated their careers to achieving our mission: improving the health of children by providing them with the tools, motivation, and support to live happier, healthier lives. Since 1995, Marathon Kids has thoughtfully worked with schools, families and communities to implement our fun, simple and effective running clubs. Among the many things that set us apart, here are three you should know about:

1. Our programs have been proven effective through world-class research, enabling us to create the following framework pillars on which we base everything: Goal Setting, Group Tracking, Social Support, Modeling, Celebrating, and Rewarding.

2. Our program is customizable to fit your community’s needs. We will give you all of the tools and resources you need to be successful.

3. Our participant rewards are the best in the business. Kids love them and will be motivated to reach their goals in order to earn them.

HOW DOES A RUNNING CLUB WORK?During the running club Kickoff Ceremony, each runner sets a goal of completing the distance of four marathons (104.8 miles), incrementally, over the duration of the running club season. Each time the club meets, participants run or walk during an allotted period of time. After each session, runners track their distance on a Marathon Kids Mileage Log. Once runners accumulate the distance of one marathon (26.2 miles) they are rewarded for their physical activity accomplishment. Rewards are also earned by runners accumulating the distance of two, three and four marathons. During the running club Finisher Celebration, all participants are recognized with a certificate for their accomplishments, no matter how far they ran.

FAQs

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WHY 104.8 MILES?Through our research on youth running and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, we have set an achievable goal of 104.8 miles, incrementally, based on the reality that nearly every kid should be able to complete at least one mile within 20 minutes. As they continue to run over the course of the season, their mile time will improve. We suggest having at least 60 sessions over the course of your running club season in order for the majority of your participants to reach 104.8 miles. We will provide you with session cards, which will break down the participants’ mileage goal for each session, keeping everyone on pace to reach their goal. No matter the distance reached, all children will be celebrated.

WHAT IS A KICKOFF CEREMONY?The Kickoff Ceremony marks the official day your running club begins and is key to the success of your season. According to Marathon Kids research, the support and encouragement runners receive during the Ceremony has been proven to motivate them throughout their season. The Kickoff itself can be as small as a normal running club session or as big as a community-wide event.

WHAT IS A FINISHER CELEBRATION?The Finisher Celebration is the official final day of your running club season. Similar to the Kickoff Ceremony, our evidence-based framework has proven the effectiveness of this event at motivating kids to continue running even after their season ends. Your runners deserve a huge celebration for accomplishing their goals.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN A MARATHON KIDS RUNNING CLUB? Kids ages 4 to 12 (Pre-K–6th grade) of all fitness levels are welcome to join.

WHAT’S THE IDEAL SIZE OF A MARATHON KIDS RUNNING CLUB?There are Marathon Kids running clubs as small as five kids and as large as 1,500. Consider things like time commitment, running space and number of volunteers needed to ensure a positive experience for all participants.

WHO LEADS THE MARATHON KIDS RUNNING CLUB? Every running club needs a Coach to act as the leader in charge of organizing, motivating and encouraging runners to go the extra mile. No prior experience is necessary. This can be anyone—a teacher, parent or volunteer from the community.

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WHAT DOES A RUNNING CLUB SESSION LOOK LIKE?The agenda for each session is left up to the Coach. Marathon Kids will provide optional session-by-session plans for Coaches that include a theme of the day (think pace or form), a warm-up activity, running/walking distance goal, a cool-down activity and mileage tracking.

WHAT DOES AN OFFICIAL MARATHON KIDS RUNNING CLUB GET?

Each registered running club will receive:

4. THE COACH’S GUIDE. This includes all the tools and resources a Coach will need to lead a successful Marathon Kids running club.

5. ACCESS TO OUR ONLINE PORTAL. Here, Coaches will find additional resources, meet other Coaches and share best practices.

6. MARATHON KIDS BRANDING AND LICENSING and instructions on how to use them successfully.

7. UP TO FIVE MARATHON KIDS COACH T-SHIRTS. One for you and one for up to four volunteers you recruit to help run your club. While volunteers are optional, they are a great way to get the community involved.

8. PARTICIPANT REWARDS. Each participant earns the following rewards once they reach the distance of 1, 2, 3 and 4 marathons:

a. Marathon #1 Reward - 26.2 miles: Marathon Kids exclusive Nike T-shirt

b. Marathon #2 Reward – 52.4 miles: Custom Nike shoelaces

c. Marathon #3 Reward – 78.6 miles: Custom Nike shoe deubrés (shoe tags)

d. Marathon #4 Reward – 104.8 miles: Marathon Kids exclusive Nike 104.8 finisher bracelet

e. Each participant will receive a Marathon Kids Mileage Certificate for the amount of miles he/she completes.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE COACH’S GUIDE?

The Coach’s Guide is split into four sections. The first section details the information the Coach will need to successfully implement the Marathon Kids running club, including how to set up running routes, structure and conduct a session, track miles, plan the Kickoff Ceremony, deliver incentives, run safely and effectively, engage families and volunteers, and conclude the running club.

The second section is geared toward welcoming the kids and introducing them to the Mileage Logs they will use to track their miles throughout the season.

The third section contains information for parents, including instructions on how to take the Parent Pledge and other resources.

The last section details other Marathon Kids resources, which are accessible only online.

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WHERE DOES A MARATHON KIDS RUNNING CLUB MEET?

Marathon Kids running clubs can meet at schools, community-based organizations or in a neighborhood; it’s up to the Coach. Participants can run on a standard track or a measured running space using cones, flagging or familiar landmarks.

The Nike+ Running App is available to help you plan out your routes or track miles along the way. The app is available on iOS and Android.

WHEN DOES A MARATHON KIDS RUNNING CLUB MEET?Marathon Kids running clubs can meet before, during or after school or on the weekends. The club can be part of an existing program or a stand-alone program.

WHEN CAN I START A MARATHON KIDS RUNNING CLUB?Marathon Kids running clubs can be started any time of the year. Coaches choose from a 3, 6, or 9 month season, bookended by your Kickoff Ceremony and Finisher Celebration.

HOW DO I MAKE MY RUNNING CLUB AN OFFICIAL MARATHON KIDS RUNNING CLUB?In order to make an official Marathon Kids running club, you will need to register your club online at www.marathonkids.org. Follow the simple steps to register your running club (see page 15). Use this Pre-Registration Packet to be sure you have everything you need to successfully register your club.

WHAT SUPPORT DOES MARATHON KIDS STAFF PROVIDE? Your region’s Manager of Running Clubs and Partnerships is dedicated to providing you with the best possible program. Find out who covers your region by going to www.marathonkids.org/were-marathon-kids/meet-our-team or contact us at [email protected] or 512-477-1259.

WHAT IS THE COST TO BECOME A MARATHON KIDS RUNNING CLUB?The cost to register your Marathon Kids running club is only $15 per participant + shipping and handling. The cost is the same no matter how many miles each participant completes. Shipping and handling costs vary based on the number of kids in your club and the club location.

HOW DO I PAY FOR MY RUNNING CLUB?We accept one payment per running club, either by check or online by credit card. The running club Coach will select his/her payment option when registering the running club online at www.marathonkids.org. Contact your runners’ parents to collect individual payments.

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WHO DO I MAKE THE CHECK PAYABLE TO?Checks should be made payable to “Marathon Kids.” If you are paying by check, see the example below. Your kit will not be shipped until your check has cleared.

WHAT OTHER RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE?Visit the Running Club Resources page on our website, www.marathonkids.org/sign-up/running-club-resources to find additional resources to start and build support for your club.

Here’s what you can find:

• Why Marathon Kids?

• Marathon Kids Do Better

• Marathon Kids by the Numbers

• Fundraising Guide

• Registration Steps

Do you have another question we didn’t answer? Talk to our expert and dedicated staff. Contact us at [email protected] or 512-477-1259

READY TO GO?Visit our website at MARATHONKIDS.ORG or contact us at 512-477-1259.

Nike believes in the power of sport and physical activity to help athletes* reach their human potential and ultimately to transform the world. Nike is excited to partner with Marathon Kids to give kids positive,

early experiences in sport and physical activity to get them active for life. *If you have a body, you’re an athlete.

Marathon Kids is a nonprofit organization committed to improving children’s health through a fun, goal-driven youth running

program—and it’s partnering with Nike to get even more kids moving.

We also offer a Marathon Kids program for families so parents and kids can start their own running clubs at home. Visit our website to learn more.

NIKE.COM/MARATHONKIDSMARATHONKIDS.ORG | @MARATHONKIDS FACEBOOK.COM/MARATHONKIDS

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