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
Monday, March 12, 2012
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
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
WELS Kids Marathon Update #3
Only 1 more month until the Final Mile of the WELS Kids Marathon. How many miles do you have done? How many books or hours do you have read? Are you already done and going for the Ultimate Challenge and on your second round? Wherever you are, you still have a month to go!
Reminder
This coming Saturday, July 30th, is the first Group Fun Run in Sussex. Everyone is welcome! Belinda will be hosting the event. The run will be started at Faith Lutheran Church and either run through Sussex Village Park or hit the Bugline Bike Trail for extra miles if you would like. Belinda has invited everyone to join the Faith Lutheran Saturday evening service beginning at 5:30PM or show up at 6:30PM for just the run. After the run, we will be heading nearby to Culver’s for some Ice Cream. No need to RSVP! Faith Lutheran Church is located at W244N6383 Weaver Dr. in Sussex. If you need directions from anywhere, please follow this link http://mapq.st/qi3wQl
There will also be Group Fun Runs on Friday, August 12th in Muskego at Bluhm Park starting at 6:30PM and another on Sunday, August 14th at the South Milwaukee High School starting at 6:00PM. Directions to come soon and will be posted on the website.
Website
Our website (http://kidsmarathon.blogspot.com/) has all the information you may need about the 2011 WELS Kids Marathon. Some sections you will find on the website include: Frequently asked questions, directions to the Final Event, course map, sponsor links, updates, etc. Please feel free to leave us a comment on the site as well.
Thank you,
Bill Schneider
WELS Kids Marathon Director
Reminder
This coming Saturday, July 30th, is the first Group Fun Run in Sussex. Everyone is welcome! Belinda will be hosting the event. The run will be started at Faith Lutheran Church and either run through Sussex Village Park or hit the Bugline Bike Trail for extra miles if you would like. Belinda has invited everyone to join the Faith Lutheran Saturday evening service beginning at 5:30PM or show up at 6:30PM for just the run. After the run, we will be heading nearby to Culver’s for some Ice Cream. No need to RSVP! Faith Lutheran Church is located at W244N6383 Weaver Dr. in Sussex. If you need directions from anywhere, please follow this link http://mapq.st/qi3wQl
There will also be Group Fun Runs on Friday, August 12th in Muskego at Bluhm Park starting at 6:30PM and another on Sunday, August 14th at the South Milwaukee High School starting at 6:00PM. Directions to come soon and will be posted on the website.
Website
Our website (http://kidsmarathon.blogspot.com/) has all the information you may need about the 2011 WELS Kids Marathon. Some sections you will find on the website include: Frequently asked questions, directions to the Final Event, course map, sponsor links, updates, etc. Please feel free to leave us a comment on the site as well.
Thank you,
Bill Schneider
WELS Kids Marathon Director
Thursday, July 21, 2011
WELS Kids Marathon Update #2
With a little over a month until the final Mile, you should all be well into your miles and your reading. I hope your log is filling up nicely. In this excessive heat outside, make sure you hydrate yourself well with lots of water. Please be safe out there and don’t overdo it.
We are busy planning the final event and gathering lots of prizes to give away when the run is complete. We are lining up a special guest and hope to make this final mile better than ever. I just ordered the shirts and the finisher’s medals. The medal is really cool this year and better than most of the medals I have from the numerous marathons I have run.
Marathon Fun Fact
Legend has it that in the year 490p BC, Pheidipiddes, a Greek soldier, ran from the town of Marathon to Athens, Greece, to announce the victory of the Greek Army. This distance was approximately 25 miles. Unfortunately Pheidipiddes died at the end of his run. In the year 1896, at the first modern Olympic Games, the Marathon was brought back. The distance was increased to 26 miles 385 yards in the year 1908 at the London Olympics when the Royal Family of England wanted the Marathon race to begin outside the balcony of Windsor Castle. And in 1924, the new distance of 26 miles 385 yards became the official length of the marathon.
Group Fun Runs
We have scheduled 3 fun runs for you to join us and have fun meeting new people and going on a run to log some more miles. Come to one or come to all of the scheduled events.
The first is scheduled on Saturday, July 30th in Sussex. Belinda has invited everyone out to Faith Lutheran Church for a 5:30PM service followed by a fun run along the Bug Line Trail or through Sussex Village Park. If you can’t make the service, join us at 6:30PM for the fun run. After the run, we will head to Culver’s close by for some ice cream. Faith Church is located right next to Sussex Village Park at W244N6383 Weaver Dr. in Sussex.
The second fun run is scheduled for Friday, August 12th in Muskego. The location is yet to be determined but the time should be at 6:30PM.
The final fun run will be held at the South Milwaukee High School Track on Sunday, August 14th at 6:00PM. Greg is planning some fun activities so plan on coming for fun and a run. South Milwaukee High School is located at 801 15th Ave. in South Milwaukee.
Name the Race
In an effort to attract more kids to join us in the fun over the summer, we have decided to rename the WELS Kids Marathon. But we want YOU to give us the name. Please email us with your suggestions. The rules are simple, please keep the suggestions to a relatively short name and it must include “Kids Marathon” in the name. The child who suggests the winning name will be given a free entry into all our future Kids Marathon until they are past 8th grade. If more than one child suggests the winning name, he/she will all be given a free entry into next year’s Kids Marathon. Please email us your suggestions at welskidsmarathon@yahoo.com. We have received a few suggestions already but would like a ton more. So put on your thinking caps and send in those suggestions.
Sponsors
We have been blessed with a lot of great sponsors who have helped up this year with either monetary donations or prize donations for the kids. If you know of or would like to be a sponsor, please email us. It could be just some prizes to be given out or a monetary donation. We will definitely let everyone know all about you and have you linked on our website. Here is a list of our sponsors already this year:
Thrivent Financial
Slingstone Products
Wisconsin Lutheran College
SkyHigh Marketing
Mike Evans Design
Performance Running Outfitters
Central Office Systems
Sitzberger Widmann & Company
Kwik Trip Stores
Food Ingerdients Inc.
The Athlete’s Foot New Berlin
Quality Resource Group
Dupont Cheese, Marion, WI
Century Springs Water
Milwaukee Bucks
Website
Our website (http://kidsmarathon.blogspot.com/) has all the information you may need about the 2011 WELS Kids Marathon. Some sections you will find on the website include: Frequently asked questions, directions to the Final Event, course map, sponsor links, updates, etc. Please feel free to leave us a comment on the site as well.
Volunteers
We will need a lot of volunteers for our final event to make it smooth and memorable for the kids. In the next update, I will be asking for volunteers to email us if they are available. We will have a variety of jobs that will need to be done and most will allow you to still watch your children run. Please give us some consideration and we will start compiling that list soon.
Charitable Contribution
Finally, we have chosen the Make it Happen Fund as the charitable contribution for the 2011 WELS Kids Marathon. I have been in contact with the Make it Happen Fund and will share more in an update real soon. I need to get some web links and story first. Please stay tuned.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email us at welskidsmarathon@yahoo.com
Thank you,
Bill Schneider
WELS Kids Marathon Director
We are busy planning the final event and gathering lots of prizes to give away when the run is complete. We are lining up a special guest and hope to make this final mile better than ever. I just ordered the shirts and the finisher’s medals. The medal is really cool this year and better than most of the medals I have from the numerous marathons I have run.
Marathon Fun Fact
Legend has it that in the year 490p BC, Pheidipiddes, a Greek soldier, ran from the town of Marathon to Athens, Greece, to announce the victory of the Greek Army. This distance was approximately 25 miles. Unfortunately Pheidipiddes died at the end of his run. In the year 1896, at the first modern Olympic Games, the Marathon was brought back. The distance was increased to 26 miles 385 yards in the year 1908 at the London Olympics when the Royal Family of England wanted the Marathon race to begin outside the balcony of Windsor Castle. And in 1924, the new distance of 26 miles 385 yards became the official length of the marathon.
Group Fun Runs
We have scheduled 3 fun runs for you to join us and have fun meeting new people and going on a run to log some more miles. Come to one or come to all of the scheduled events.
The first is scheduled on Saturday, July 30th in Sussex. Belinda has invited everyone out to Faith Lutheran Church for a 5:30PM service followed by a fun run along the Bug Line Trail or through Sussex Village Park. If you can’t make the service, join us at 6:30PM for the fun run. After the run, we will head to Culver’s close by for some ice cream. Faith Church is located right next to Sussex Village Park at W244N6383 Weaver Dr. in Sussex.
The second fun run is scheduled for Friday, August 12th in Muskego. The location is yet to be determined but the time should be at 6:30PM.
The final fun run will be held at the South Milwaukee High School Track on Sunday, August 14th at 6:00PM. Greg is planning some fun activities so plan on coming for fun and a run. South Milwaukee High School is located at 801 15th Ave. in South Milwaukee.
Name the Race
In an effort to attract more kids to join us in the fun over the summer, we have decided to rename the WELS Kids Marathon. But we want YOU to give us the name. Please email us with your suggestions. The rules are simple, please keep the suggestions to a relatively short name and it must include “Kids Marathon” in the name. The child who suggests the winning name will be given a free entry into all our future Kids Marathon until they are past 8th grade. If more than one child suggests the winning name, he/she will all be given a free entry into next year’s Kids Marathon. Please email us your suggestions at welskidsmarathon@yahoo.com. We have received a few suggestions already but would like a ton more. So put on your thinking caps and send in those suggestions.
Sponsors
We have been blessed with a lot of great sponsors who have helped up this year with either monetary donations or prize donations for the kids. If you know of or would like to be a sponsor, please email us. It could be just some prizes to be given out or a monetary donation. We will definitely let everyone know all about you and have you linked on our website. Here is a list of our sponsors already this year:
Thrivent Financial
Slingstone Products
Wisconsin Lutheran College
SkyHigh Marketing
Mike Evans Design
Performance Running Outfitters
Central Office Systems
Sitzberger Widmann & Company
Kwik Trip Stores
Food Ingerdients Inc.
The Athlete’s Foot New Berlin
Quality Resource Group
Dupont Cheese, Marion, WI
Century Springs Water
Milwaukee Bucks
Website
Our website (http://kidsmarathon.blogspot.com/) has all the information you may need about the 2011 WELS Kids Marathon. Some sections you will find on the website include: Frequently asked questions, directions to the Final Event, course map, sponsor links, updates, etc. Please feel free to leave us a comment on the site as well.
Volunteers
We will need a lot of volunteers for our final event to make it smooth and memorable for the kids. In the next update, I will be asking for volunteers to email us if they are available. We will have a variety of jobs that will need to be done and most will allow you to still watch your children run. Please give us some consideration and we will start compiling that list soon.
Charitable Contribution
Finally, we have chosen the Make it Happen Fund as the charitable contribution for the 2011 WELS Kids Marathon. I have been in contact with the Make it Happen Fund and will share more in an update real soon. I need to get some web links and story first. Please stay tuned.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email us at welskidsmarathon@yahoo.com
Thank you,
Bill Schneider
WELS Kids Marathon Director
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