March 10, 2012 at 7:25 AM
 

Download Waiver & Registration Form

Download Official Mileage Log Sheet

Register: Registration is only $20.00. Register online or use the mail-in form. Form can be downloaded from the website or obtained from YMCA or PE teacher.

Start Moving: Kids track their progress and move along at their own pace in 1/4 mile increments.

Race Day: Get yourself to the starting line and get ready to run! Kids 7 and under MUST have a chaperon run with them on the course. (Although, any age child can run with an adult if he/she chooses. There is no charge for adult chaperones. 1 adult per child only)

Start Location: Lincoln St. in front of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

Finish Location: Intersections of Pendleton and Lincoln Streets in front of Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

Packet Pick-Up: All Kids Run participants must pick up their race packet (bib number and t-shirt) on Friday at the Health & Fitness Expo or on Saturday prior to the run. (Give yourself plenty of time!)

Other Details: All Kids Run participants receive a youth sized, short sleeve cotton t-shirt, finisher's medal and finish line refreshments.

School Awards: Schools with the highest percentage of student participation will receive a cash donation to it's PE department in the amounts of: 1st Place $600, 2nd Place $300, 3rd Place $150.
 

How it Works

The Columbia SC Kids Marathon is an innovative six month endurance building running/walking program designed for children kindergarten (K5) through fifth grade. Children will run the distance of a full marathon (26.2 miles) over the course of the six month program. To achieve this goal, kids must train for the last mile of their marathon by running a total of 25.2 miles in 1/4 mile, 1/2 mile, 3/4 mile or 1 mile increments between September 6, 2011 through March 6, 2012 to qualify for race day participation. This is not a timed event and there are NO official winners. Our motto is "if you had fun you won"!!!

Training

Students will run with a parent and/or in their school's PE class or at their local YMCA of Columbia after-school program. Each child will keep a running log sheet to track their progress. Mileage is based on adult supervision and the honor system. As each child completes the final mile on the actual marathon course on Saturday, March 10, 2012.

All runners must keep track of their miles on a mileage log sheet. Your PE coach may provide your child with one or you can download one from our Web site once school starts back this fall. Your child can chart their miles in 0.25-mile increments and won’t have to feel pressured to run a complete mile when they begin their training. However, if your child is training with their school’s PE class they may structure it differently. Upon completion of 25.2 miles, each child must bring their completed log sheet to packet pick-up. This completed log sheet is required in order to receive your race packet and complete the final mile on Saturday, March 10, 2012.

Safety

Your child’s safety is the most important priority for our race staff. We go to great measures to insure their safety and we appreciate everyone abiding by our rules to accomplish our mission. First, each child will receive a T-shirt that they must wear on race day. Your packet will also contain your child's race number that MUST be worn on the front of their shirt. Attached to the race number is a PARENT CLAIM TAG. You must detach this and keep it with you so that you may identify and claim your child after the race. No child will be allowed to leave their designated fenced area unless the parent/guardian has the matching number on their claim tag. No IDs will be accepted in place of the race number. You MUST have the matching race number! Second, we will have uniformed officials such as firemen, policeman, athletic teams and high school ROTC members running with the children. They will insure that the runners stay on the correct course while offering them encouragement to finish their marathon goal. This is also another reason your child must wear their designated race day T-shirt so our officials can identify them. Your children are our children and with your help, we will make sure they have an enjoyable and safe experience!

YOU MUST RUN YOUR FINAL MILE ON SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2012 ON THE MARATHON COURSE TO RECEIVE YOUR MEDAL.