Are you watching the Olympics? I sure am! I love the Olympics and watch tons of sports I don’t watch but once in 4 years. One of the greatest events in the Olympics is the Marathon. The Olympics originated in Greece and so did the marathon. The Women’s Olympic marathon will take place this coming Sunday and running for the United States will be Shalane Flanagan, Kara Goucher, and Desiree Davila (maybe pulling out). All 3 are outstanding marathon runners and each has a chance for a medal. If you care to watch the race Live, it will be broadcast Sunday at 5:00AM
The Men’s Olympic Marathon will be run next Sunday and broadcast at the same time. Running for the United States will be Ryan Hall, Meb Keflezighi, and Abdi Abdirahman. Meb was the Silver Medalist from 8 years ago in Athens. Should be a great race to watch.
And all you kids marathoners can be proud to know you are running the EXACT same distance, 26.2 miles! You should be proud of your accomplishment and I hope to see big smiles on you as you cross the finish line on the 25th. They don’t have to read like you guys are, but I can bet they do a lot of reading anyways.
Prizes
We are still looking for more prizes to give away to the kids after the final mile. If you or your company would like to donate some prizes, please contact me at kidsmarathon@yahoo.com. We will make sure you are recognized for your generosity. Kids, make sure you attend the final mile. You must attend to be eligible for a door prize. We have already received gifts from Nike, The Pettit Center, as well as the Green Bay Packers.
Adults and Older Teens Mile
New this year, we will be having a 1 mile fun run/walk for older teens and adults. Kids, get your parents, grandparents, neighbors, anyone who has encourages and given you support during you marathon to run their own 1 mile race. If you can do and entire 26.2 miles, they can do 1 mile, right? We will have this 1 mile fun run/walk immediately after the last kids final mile. It will be $10 to enter with 100% of the proceeds going directly to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. While there will be no shirt for the adults (unless they are a volunteer), there will be medals awarded to the top 3 male and female finishers. Everyone will get the satisfaction of giving the kids who need help.
Sponsors
We are so thankful for all the sponsors who make this event possible. Please support these sponsors like they support us. On the website, you can see all our sponsors logos and links to their websites. Thank you to Wisconsin Lutheran College, SkyHigh Marketing, Mike Evens Design, Kwik Trip, Performance Running Outfitters, Spiegelberg Financial Services, DuPont Cheese in Marion, WI, The Athlete’s Foot in New Berlin, Nike, The Pettit Center, and La Campagne Bakery.
Directions
Directions to the Final Mile can be found on the I Run Kids Marathon website. Please follow this link to see directions to the Final Mile.
Volunteers
We will need volunteers for the Final Mile as well. If you are interested in volunteering at the Final Mile, please email us at kidsmarathon@yahoo.com. We need help with course safety, set up, food preparation, and clean up. All volunteers will receive an I Run Kids Marathon shirt for their help and still be able to still see their kids run as well as have time to run the Adults and Older Teens Mile.
Thank you
Thank you for your participation in the 2012 I Run Kids Marathon. If you have any questions, please refer to the I Run Kids Marathon website or email us at kidsmarathon@yahoo.com. Go out and run a mile!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
2012 I Run Kids Marathon Update #1
Wow, can you believe it? We are a little over 1 month away from the Final Mile of the 2012 I Run Kids Marathon. By receiving this email, you can be assured that you are signed up. I hope you are all logging lots of miles and reading tons of books this summer. It is so important to get off the couch and off the video games during the summer and go out and play. Go out and exercise. Go out and have some fun! It is equally important to keep your mind sharp by reading books over the summer. Research shows that kids who read over the summer do remarkably better in school than kids who do not.
The Final Mile will take place on Saturday, August 25th starting at 6:00PM at Raabe Stadium at the Wisconsin Lutheran College’s athletic fields. Packet pick up be at 6:00 with the races beginning at 7:00.
New this year, we will be having a 1 mile fun run/walk for older teens and adults. Kids, get your parents, grandparents, neighbors, anyone who has encourages and given you support during you marathon to run their own 1 mile race. If you can do and entire 26.2 miles, they can do 1 mile, right? We will have this 1 mile fun run/walk immediately after the last kids final mile. It will be $10 to enter with 100% of the proceeds going directly to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. While there will be no shirt for the adults (unless they are a volunteer), there will be medals awarded to the top 3 male and female finishers. Everyone will get the satisfaction of giving the kids who need help.
Speaking of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, this fine hospital is the charity that was chosen for the I Run Kids Marathon. Kids helping kids! There are so many of us who have used Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin over the years, including 2 of my kids, and they are such a great hospital and a wonderful asset to our community. Please help us help them.
Sponsors
We are always looking for more sponsors for the I Run Kids Marathon. Right now, what we need more than anything else is prizes to be given away as door prizes for the kids. We are beginning to accumulate prizes but could use more. If you would like to donate and prizes, please contact us at kidsmarathon@yahoo.com. We have been blessed with some great sponsors over the past 3 years and we would love for you to join us this year.
Directions
Direction to the Final Mile can be found on the I Run Kids Marathon website. Please follow this link to see directions to the Final Mile.
Volunteers
We will need volunteers for the Final Mile as well. If you are interested in volunteering at the Final mile, please email us at kidsmarathon@yahoo.com. We need help with course safety, set up, food preparation, and clean up. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Thank You
Thank you for joining the 2012 I Run Kids Marathon. If you have any questions, please refer to the I Run Kids Marathon website http://kidsmarathon.blogspot.com/ or email us at kidsmarathon@yahoo.com. Go out and run a mile!
Thank you,
Bill Schneider
I Run Kids Marathon Director
The Final Mile will take place on Saturday, August 25th starting at 6:00PM at Raabe Stadium at the Wisconsin Lutheran College’s athletic fields. Packet pick up be at 6:00 with the races beginning at 7:00.
New this year, we will be having a 1 mile fun run/walk for older teens and adults. Kids, get your parents, grandparents, neighbors, anyone who has encourages and given you support during you marathon to run their own 1 mile race. If you can do and entire 26.2 miles, they can do 1 mile, right? We will have this 1 mile fun run/walk immediately after the last kids final mile. It will be $10 to enter with 100% of the proceeds going directly to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. While there will be no shirt for the adults (unless they are a volunteer), there will be medals awarded to the top 3 male and female finishers. Everyone will get the satisfaction of giving the kids who need help.
Speaking of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, this fine hospital is the charity that was chosen for the I Run Kids Marathon. Kids helping kids! There are so many of us who have used Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin over the years, including 2 of my kids, and they are such a great hospital and a wonderful asset to our community. Please help us help them.
Sponsors
We are always looking for more sponsors for the I Run Kids Marathon. Right now, what we need more than anything else is prizes to be given away as door prizes for the kids. We are beginning to accumulate prizes but could use more. If you would like to donate and prizes, please contact us at kidsmarathon@yahoo.com. We have been blessed with some great sponsors over the past 3 years and we would love for you to join us this year.
Directions
Direction to the Final Mile can be found on the I Run Kids Marathon website. Please follow this link to see directions to the Final Mile.
Volunteers
We will need volunteers for the Final Mile as well. If you are interested in volunteering at the Final mile, please email us at kidsmarathon@yahoo.com. We need help with course safety, set up, food preparation, and clean up. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Thank You
Thank you for joining the 2012 I Run Kids Marathon. If you have any questions, please refer to the I Run Kids Marathon website http://kidsmarathon.blogspot.com/ or email us at kidsmarathon@yahoo.com. Go out and run a mile!
Thank you,
Bill Schneider
I Run Kids Marathon Director
Monday, March 12, 2012
New School Participation
Thank you for your interest in your school entering the I Run Kids Marathon. The goal of the I Run Kids Marathon is to get kids out and exercising in the summer as well as opening a book to exercise their minds. Healthy Bodies & Healthy Minds.
What is the Kids Marathon? It is a program where kids will run (or walk) and entire marathon, 26.2 miles, over the summer, a 1/4 mile at a time. Kids will also read either 26 books or for 26 hours, 1/4 hour at a time, over the summer. Near the end of summer, all kids participating will join to run our FINAL MILE of the marathon together and all cross the same finish line.
What do the kids get? All participants will receive an I Run Kids Marathon shirt as well as an I Run Kids Marathon finishers medal. There will possibly be some donations for the kids in their goody bags they receive as well as many prizes that will be raffled off at the FINAL MILE. And lots food and beverages for the kids. Kids will also be able to print out a running & reading log to begin their journey at the beginning of summer.
How much does it cost for a school to participate? Absolutely nothing! There is an individual entry fee per child of under $15 that go toward the costs of shirts, medal, insurance, food, etc, but no cost to any school. We do request that each school provide a "Representative" to promote the event at your school, hand out and collect entry forms and then send them to the I Run Kids Marathon. Any questions that the representative may have can be answered quickly. The cost of our event is kept low due to many wonderful sponsors either donating money, supplies, or great prizes to be given to the kids at the FINAL MILE.
Why participate in the I Run Kids Marathon? We all know there is a growing issue with kids exercising less and obesity levels rising. The I Run Kids Marathon strives to get kids out exercising and teaching that exercise is fun as well. We also strive to get kids to keep reading over the summer. Just because school is out for the summer doesn't mean we should all stop learning. Reading over the summer goes a long way to beginning the new school year well.
Who can participate? The I Run Kids Marathon is open to all kids finishing Kindergarten through 7th grade at the end of Spring. We do allow younger kids to participate but stress that parents need to know everything involved in taking on a whole marathon, even if it is over the entire summer.
Who are the organizers? The I Run Kids Marathon is the brain child of Bill Schneider of Muskego, WI. Bill is an active runner since the 5th grade and has run 39 full marathons to date as well as many other distances. He ran on his High School's Cross Country and Track teams as well as his College's Cross Country and Track teams. He has 3 young daughters that love to run and even coaches track and cross country as their school. He loves to share his passion for running. He is aided in the organization of the I Run Kids Marathon by Greg Uehling, Gwen Scherf, and Belinda Matter, all parents of young children and love to run themselves. David Habben also helps and advises on the I Run Kids Marathon.
Is there a Charity Involved? Yes. Over the past few years, we have made donations to MS Run The US, Luke Currier Fund, and well and the Jenny Crain Make It Happen Fund. We have decided in the future to choose a children's charity so the kids can help kids. One of the themes of the I Run Kids Marathon is "I Run to make a difference!" We want all the kids who participate to feel like they made a difference not only in their own lives, but in the lives of other kids.
So in a nutshell, that is the I Run Kids Marathon. If you have any further questions or want to be a representative for a school, please email is at kidsmarathon@yahoo.com.
Thank you,
Bill Schneider
I Run Kids Marathon Director
What is the Kids Marathon? It is a program where kids will run (or walk) and entire marathon, 26.2 miles, over the summer, a 1/4 mile at a time. Kids will also read either 26 books or for 26 hours, 1/4 hour at a time, over the summer. Near the end of summer, all kids participating will join to run our FINAL MILE of the marathon together and all cross the same finish line.
What do the kids get? All participants will receive an I Run Kids Marathon shirt as well as an I Run Kids Marathon finishers medal. There will possibly be some donations for the kids in their goody bags they receive as well as many prizes that will be raffled off at the FINAL MILE. And lots food and beverages for the kids. Kids will also be able to print out a running & reading log to begin their journey at the beginning of summer.
How much does it cost for a school to participate? Absolutely nothing! There is an individual entry fee per child of under $15 that go toward the costs of shirts, medal, insurance, food, etc, but no cost to any school. We do request that each school provide a "Representative" to promote the event at your school, hand out and collect entry forms and then send them to the I Run Kids Marathon. Any questions that the representative may have can be answered quickly. The cost of our event is kept low due to many wonderful sponsors either donating money, supplies, or great prizes to be given to the kids at the FINAL MILE.
Why participate in the I Run Kids Marathon? We all know there is a growing issue with kids exercising less and obesity levels rising. The I Run Kids Marathon strives to get kids out exercising and teaching that exercise is fun as well. We also strive to get kids to keep reading over the summer. Just because school is out for the summer doesn't mean we should all stop learning. Reading over the summer goes a long way to beginning the new school year well.
Who can participate? The I Run Kids Marathon is open to all kids finishing Kindergarten through 7th grade at the end of Spring. We do allow younger kids to participate but stress that parents need to know everything involved in taking on a whole marathon, even if it is over the entire summer.
Who are the organizers? The I Run Kids Marathon is the brain child of Bill Schneider of Muskego, WI. Bill is an active runner since the 5th grade and has run 39 full marathons to date as well as many other distances. He ran on his High School's Cross Country and Track teams as well as his College's Cross Country and Track teams. He has 3 young daughters that love to run and even coaches track and cross country as their school. He loves to share his passion for running. He is aided in the organization of the I Run Kids Marathon by Greg Uehling, Gwen Scherf, and Belinda Matter, all parents of young children and love to run themselves. David Habben also helps and advises on the I Run Kids Marathon.
Is there a Charity Involved? Yes. Over the past few years, we have made donations to MS Run The US, Luke Currier Fund, and well and the Jenny Crain Make It Happen Fund. We have decided in the future to choose a children's charity so the kids can help kids. One of the themes of the I Run Kids Marathon is "I Run to make a difference!" We want all the kids who participate to feel like they made a difference not only in their own lives, but in the lives of other kids.
So in a nutshell, that is the I Run Kids Marathon. If you have any further questions or want to be a representative for a school, please email is at kidsmarathon@yahoo.com.
Thank you,
Bill Schneider
I Run Kids Marathon Director
Monday, February 20, 2012
I Run Kids Marathon!
It has now been almost 6 months since the 2011 WELS Kids Marathon and what a success it was. 433 wonderful kids from the Milwaukee area (as well and Green Bay, Lake Mills, and other parts of the great state of Wisconsin) completed their own marathon by running 26.2 miles over the summer as well as reading 26 books or for 26 hours. Congratulations, you guys are awesome!
It is now time for the committee and I to begin the planning for the 2012 Kids Marathon. We have decided to make a few changes to the Kids Marathon but hopefully they are all for the better and kids everywhere.
First, last year we had a contest to decide on a new name for the Kids Marathon. The goal was to make the program become friendlier as well as attract more kids (and parents) to share our passions with. Unfortunately, we only receive a few submitted names and while each one was a great name, it wasn't quite what we were looking for. In the end, we have decided to rename the Kids Marathon to the "I Run Kids Marathon". No, the name has nothing to do with the Apple and we don't want it to be confused with that at all. We chose this name because that is what I do, I run. That is what the entire committee does, and it is what we hope you or your child does, Run! I Run ... to Make a Difference! I Run ... to be healthy! I Run ... for God! There are a million reasons why people run, I could list off so many as to why I run and I am going to leave it open to the Kids of the 2012 I Run Kids Marathon to come up with their own reasons. We maybe even post these reasons on this site or at the final mile late this summer. Why do you run? We will find out soon.
The second change will be the charity we choose for the kids donation. We absolutely love the fact that we made a donation to the Jenny Crain Make It Happen fund last year as well as MS Run the US. These are wonderful charitable causes and I hope you continue to support these. But the decision has been made that we will choose a "children's" charity in the future similar to when we made a donation to help for the care of Luke Currier and his battle with Klippel-Feil Syndrome. After all, it is kids who are running the Kids Marathon (like Luke did the past 2 years), let's support kids who need help. We have not chosen which charity it will be for 2012 as of yet so if you have a great choice, please let us know about it.
We have a few more ideas formulating as well. How many of you kids marathon participants want to see your parents or friends run the final mile as well? We are looking to create a 1 mile race to take place right after the kids are done for high school aged kids and adults. Let's get everyone out there running! With a small donation directly to the charity we choose, adults (parents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, grandparents, friends) can run a mile too and maybe even with a prize. We will work to make this happen at the final mile.
Let me conclude by thanking all the kids, parents, and sponsors who have supported the Kids Marathon the first 3 years we have existed. To date, we have had a total of 1027 kids marathoners and we hope and pray that this is only the beginning.
Why do you Run?
Thank you,
Bill Schneider
I Run Kids Marathon Director
"I Run To Make A Difference"
It is now time for the committee and I to begin the planning for the 2012 Kids Marathon. We have decided to make a few changes to the Kids Marathon but hopefully they are all for the better and kids everywhere.
First, last year we had a contest to decide on a new name for the Kids Marathon. The goal was to make the program become friendlier as well as attract more kids (and parents) to share our passions with. Unfortunately, we only receive a few submitted names and while each one was a great name, it wasn't quite what we were looking for. In the end, we have decided to rename the Kids Marathon to the "I Run Kids Marathon". No, the name has nothing to do with the Apple and we don't want it to be confused with that at all. We chose this name because that is what I do, I run. That is what the entire committee does, and it is what we hope you or your child does, Run! I Run ... to Make a Difference! I Run ... to be healthy! I Run ... for God! There are a million reasons why people run, I could list off so many as to why I run and I am going to leave it open to the Kids of the 2012 I Run Kids Marathon to come up with their own reasons. We maybe even post these reasons on this site or at the final mile late this summer. Why do you run? We will find out soon.
The second change will be the charity we choose for the kids donation. We absolutely love the fact that we made a donation to the Jenny Crain Make It Happen fund last year as well as MS Run the US. These are wonderful charitable causes and I hope you continue to support these. But the decision has been made that we will choose a "children's" charity in the future similar to when we made a donation to help for the care of Luke Currier and his battle with Klippel-Feil Syndrome. After all, it is kids who are running the Kids Marathon (like Luke did the past 2 years), let's support kids who need help. We have not chosen which charity it will be for 2012 as of yet so if you have a great choice, please let us know about it.
We have a few more ideas formulating as well. How many of you kids marathon participants want to see your parents or friends run the final mile as well? We are looking to create a 1 mile race to take place right after the kids are done for high school aged kids and adults. Let's get everyone out there running! With a small donation directly to the charity we choose, adults (parents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, grandparents, friends) can run a mile too and maybe even with a prize. We will work to make this happen at the final mile.
Let me conclude by thanking all the kids, parents, and sponsors who have supported the Kids Marathon the first 3 years we have existed. To date, we have had a total of 1027 kids marathoners and we hope and pray that this is only the beginning.
Why do you Run?
Thank you,
Bill Schneider
I Run Kids Marathon Director
"I Run To Make A Difference"
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
WELS Kids Marathon Update #6
We are just a few days away from the final mile of the 2011 WELS Kids Marathon. The committee is working feverishly getting the final details in order, picking up supplies, and making sure everything on track.
Final Mile Timeline
6:00PM - Packet Pickup begins. Please plan on arriving no later than 6:30PM as there will be a lot of others in line and we want to make sure the races begin on time.
6:30PM – Special Guest Appearance
6:40PM – Group Warm Up
6:55PM – National Anthem
7:00PM – Race Number 1 for kids grades 4 and under.
7:15PM – Race Number 2 for kids grades 5 and over.
7:30PM – Prize Drawings
Ultimate Challenge
For those of you who completed the Ultimate Challenge, congratulations! 52 miles and 52 books are very impressive! This year, we will have a small reward for each of you who completed the Ultimate Challenge. We will also have a special drawing for only those who completed the Ultimate Challenge. Please make sure you sign the Ultimate Challenge Sheet at Packet Pickup and fill out your special Ultimate Challenge Raffle Ticket. Good Luck!
Make It Happen
This year’s WELS Kids Marathon charitable contribution will be to the Jenny Crain Make it Happen Fund. In a special appearance, Jenny will be coming to our final event and meeting the kids. Please make her feel welcome. We will be making her an honorary WELS Kids Marathon Finisher. Please make sure you sign the banner we will have for Jenny. Also, please consider a personal donation to the Make It Happen Fund, we will have a jar set out if you wish to donate.
Prizes
In order to be eligible for a prize, you need to be present at the Final Mile. Once you receive your race number, make sure you detach the bottom of the number as this will be your prize drawing ticket. We will be giving prizes from:
The Milwaukee Bucks
The Green Bay Packers
The Athletes Foot in New Berlin
Performance Running & Fitness
Nike
Barnes & Noble
The Pettit National Ice Center
Media
If you have any connections to the any of the local media, we would love to invite them to cover our final event. Please make an invitation and let me know if any information is needed.
Directions
Please see the link toward the top right of the page for directions to the final event or Please Click Here.
Volunteers
Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help us at the final event. If you have volunteered, please plan on showing up no later than 6:00PM.
Thank you
I would like to personally thank everyone for joining the 2011 WELS Kids Marathon. It is a real pleasure to share my love for running and reading with the future of America. Exercise for your body and your mind is so important and is usually the first thing to drop out of our busy lives. Please make time to exercise. And sit down and read a good book. If I am a little slow at the final event, it will because I am running my own marathon Saturday morning at the Eisenbahn Marathon in West Bend. As I pass each of the 26.2 miles in the morning, I will be thinking of all you awesome kids who will be completing your marathon that evening.
Thank you,
Bill Schneider
WELS Kids Marathon Director
Final Mile Timeline
6:00PM - Packet Pickup begins. Please plan on arriving no later than 6:30PM as there will be a lot of others in line and we want to make sure the races begin on time.
6:30PM – Special Guest Appearance
6:40PM – Group Warm Up
6:55PM – National Anthem
7:00PM – Race Number 1 for kids grades 4 and under.
7:15PM – Race Number 2 for kids grades 5 and over.
7:30PM – Prize Drawings
Ultimate Challenge
For those of you who completed the Ultimate Challenge, congratulations! 52 miles and 52 books are very impressive! This year, we will have a small reward for each of you who completed the Ultimate Challenge. We will also have a special drawing for only those who completed the Ultimate Challenge. Please make sure you sign the Ultimate Challenge Sheet at Packet Pickup and fill out your special Ultimate Challenge Raffle Ticket. Good Luck!
Make It Happen
This year’s WELS Kids Marathon charitable contribution will be to the Jenny Crain Make it Happen Fund. In a special appearance, Jenny will be coming to our final event and meeting the kids. Please make her feel welcome. We will be making her an honorary WELS Kids Marathon Finisher. Please make sure you sign the banner we will have for Jenny. Also, please consider a personal donation to the Make It Happen Fund, we will have a jar set out if you wish to donate.
Prizes
In order to be eligible for a prize, you need to be present at the Final Mile. Once you receive your race number, make sure you detach the bottom of the number as this will be your prize drawing ticket. We will be giving prizes from:
The Milwaukee Bucks
The Green Bay Packers
The Athletes Foot in New Berlin
Performance Running & Fitness
Nike
Barnes & Noble
The Pettit National Ice Center
Media
If you have any connections to the any of the local media, we would love to invite them to cover our final event. Please make an invitation and let me know if any information is needed.
Directions
Please see the link toward the top right of the page for directions to the final event or Please Click Here.
Volunteers
Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help us at the final event. If you have volunteered, please plan on showing up no later than 6:00PM.
Thank you
I would like to personally thank everyone for joining the 2011 WELS Kids Marathon. It is a real pleasure to share my love for running and reading with the future of America. Exercise for your body and your mind is so important and is usually the first thing to drop out of our busy lives. Please make time to exercise. And sit down and read a good book. If I am a little slow at the final event, it will because I am running my own marathon Saturday morning at the Eisenbahn Marathon in West Bend. As I pass each of the 26.2 miles in the morning, I will be thinking of all you awesome kids who will be completing your marathon that evening.
Thank you,
Bill Schneider
WELS Kids Marathon Director
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
WELS Kids Marathon Update #5
Group Fun Run
I just wanted to remind you all of the Group Fun Run taking place this Friday at Bluhm Park in Muskego at 6:30PM. Here is a link to a map and directions to the park. http://mapq.st/pU4DYl This will be our last group fun run before the final event as the Fun Run scheduled for Sunday, August 14th has now been cancelled. Please join us in Muskego for fun, a run, and fellowship. Everyone is welcome.
Name the Race Contest
We have received only a couple entries for the Name the Race Contest. We need your ideas! Please send in your ideas to welskidsmarathon@yahoo.com. If we do not receive more suggestions, we may need to delay the new name announcement.
Volunteers
We are looking for a few people who would be willing to help out at the Final Mile Event on Saturday, August 27 starting at 6:00PM. We need help with the registration table, food preparation and serving, course marshals, and handing out medals. It takes a lot of volunteers to make the final event a fun and safe event for the kids and to create memories they will have for years to come. If you are willing to help out, please email us at welskidsmarathon@yahoo.com. Most volunteer jobs allow you to still watch the kids run!
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Bill Schneider
WELS Kids Marathon Director
I just wanted to remind you all of the Group Fun Run taking place this Friday at Bluhm Park in Muskego at 6:30PM. Here is a link to a map and directions to the park. http://mapq.st/pU4DYl This will be our last group fun run before the final event as the Fun Run scheduled for Sunday, August 14th has now been cancelled. Please join us in Muskego for fun, a run, and fellowship. Everyone is welcome.
Name the Race Contest
We have received only a couple entries for the Name the Race Contest. We need your ideas! Please send in your ideas to welskidsmarathon@yahoo.com. If we do not receive more suggestions, we may need to delay the new name announcement.
Volunteers
We are looking for a few people who would be willing to help out at the Final Mile Event on Saturday, August 27 starting at 6:00PM. We need help with the registration table, food preparation and serving, course marshals, and handing out medals. It takes a lot of volunteers to make the final event a fun and safe event for the kids and to create memories they will have for years to come. If you are willing to help out, please email us at welskidsmarathon@yahoo.com. Most volunteer jobs allow you to still watch the kids run!
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Bill Schneider
WELS Kids Marathon Director
Thursday, August 4, 2011
WELS Kids Marathon Update #4
Make It Happen Fund
This year’s WELS Kids Marathon Charity Donation will be to the Make it Happen Fund. I wanted to share with you the “Who” behind the Make it Happen Fund.
Jenny Crain is a runner who attended Franklin High School in the 1980’s. After college, she grew into one of the best marathon runners in the United States. In 2005, Jenny represented the United States in the World Track & Field Championships held in Helsinki, Finland. She ran a time of 2:39:02, good for 36th place.
This year’s WELS Kids Marathon Charity Donation will be to the Make it Happen Fund. I wanted to share with you the “Who” behind the Make it Happen Fund.
Jenny Crain is a runner who attended Franklin High School in the 1980’s. After college, she grew into one of the best marathon runners in the United States. In 2005, Jenny represented the United States in the World Track & Field Championships held in Helsinki, Finland. She ran a time of 2:39:02, good for 36th place.
Jenny Crain winning Milwaukee's Al's Run
Jenny is a very friendly and welcoming runner in the Milwaukee area. I have personally met her many times at local races that she runs even though she was world class runner. She loved running locally and supported all the local runners.
In 2007, Jenny was training for her fourth US Olympic Marathon Trials. She was on a run on the east side of Milwaukee when she was unexpectedly hit by a car just before finishing her run. She received major injuries to her body and her brain. She survived though. And with an Olympic spirit in her heart that would win gold a thousand times over, she began the biggest training of her life, recovery. Over the last 4 years, she has worked her way up to being able to walk with the aid of a walker. Last month, she walked 1 mile at a local charity run on her behalf. She has a long way to go.
Team Jenny at the Brewers Game, Jenny sitting in the middle.
Many local runners have now supported Jenny the way she supported them over the years. The Make it Happen Fund was set up to help Jenny with her massive medical bills. Now the kids of the WELS Kids Marathon are supporting Jenny too! This year, the WELS Kids Marathon will make a donation to the Make It Happen Fund.
This fall, at the Lakefront Marathon in Milwaukee, Team Jenny will be attempting to break a World Record for the most runners tethered together running a full marathon. I have been graciously invited to join this team allowing me to share this wonderful story of survival with you all. 75 of us will be tethered with a rope all running the whole 26.2 miles together. Runners of all abilities are now training to accomplish this World Record. Please follow our journey as we support Jenny.
If you feel inspired to make a personal donation to the Make it Happen Fund, please follow this link.
If you would like to learn more about the Jenny Crain Story, here is a link to a wonderful story published in Runner’s World Magazine. Well worth the read.
Thank you,
Bill Schneider
WELS Kids Marathon Director
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