2014 Kids' DeMar
2014 Kids DeMar Marathon will bring together many Healthy Monadnock 2020 Champions
The 2013 Kids DeMar Marathon Program had nearly double the number of children participating from the 2012 edition. Now, 2014 promises to be even bigger and better with a goal of having at least 30 participating schools and 1000 children running.
Beginning in late-April 2014, the Keene Elm City Rotary Club Clarence DeMar Marathon Committee, with generous financial support from the Hoffman Family Foundation, will be inviting students in grades K-5 to register to “run” the Clarence DeMar Marathon on September 28, 2014. Through school based-running/walking clubs, physical education programs, summer Keene Parks and Recreation activities, and the Keene Family YMCA camps students will be tracking their activity throughout the summer and then by accumulating 25 miles will earn the chance to run the last 1.2 miles of the DeMar Marathon on race day the last Sunday in September.
Running or walking in the DeMar Kids Marathon is free and simple. PE teachers and other school staff volunteer to coordinate this effort for their schools. We really hope all elementary schools in our region come on board this year.
Students who sign up will receive a child-friendly activity log sheet to record at least 25 miles during the spring and summer leading up to the DeMar on September 28, 2014. By completing the log and returning it when school resumes in the fall (no later than September 12th 2014) the students will receive a free t-shirt (printed by Beeze Tees) and earn the right to walk or run the last 1.2 miles of the DeMar Marathon on race day. Wearing their T-shirt will be their “admission ticket” to the1.2 mile run. Participants will also receive a finishers’ medal at the finish line at Keene State College. Parents are welcome to walk or run the 1.2 miles with their youngsters, too.
The DeMar Kids Marathon is a cooperative effort that brings together many Healthy Monadnock 2020 Organizational Champions including the Keene Elm City Rotary Club, the Hoffman Family Foundation, Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene, Advocates for Healthy Youth Coalition (AFHY), Keene State College, MoCo Arts, the Keene Family YMCA, the City of Keene, and Beeze Tees. Together these organizations hope to increase opportunities for physical activity and enhance the health and wellbeing of our region’s children.
Look for registration materials at your school in late-April 2014. Homeschoolers can contact the program coordinator at kidsdemarmarathon@gmail.com for their own way to sign up. And yes, the Super Seniors DeMar Marathon for active adults over 70 years of age will be back this year with registration beginning in May 2014!