Cherrington’s Marathon Kids have no problem getting up bright and early to run.
Students at Cherrington Elementary School have been running for fun and fitness each Friday morning, from September through November, as part of a national initiative to get children moving. Their running club was organized through a national grant program called Marathon Kids, where youngsters set goals and track their progress on a journey to complete the equivalent of four marathons, or 104.8 miles, over the course of the season. They run or walk, one lap at a time, one a day at a time, and before they know it, they have gone farther than they ever dreamed. The pupils receive awards from Nike at each marathon distance (26.2, 52.4. 78.6 and 104.8 miles). Cherrington’s running club started last year with 35 members and has grown to include more than 70 students in Kindergarten through grade 5, with the help of about 10 parent volunteers. The children meet each Friday morning before school and run as a group for 40 minutes. They say they love the experience because they get to hang out with their friends and enjoy challenging each other.