Medtronic TC Kids Marathon

Special Tips and Information

Overview

Welcome to the starting line! This Medtronic TC Kids Marathon page is your online resource for getting kids started on the road to fitness through running. Whether you are a teacher, coach, parent, or club leader, it's designed to give you quick tips and tools to use with your group of runners. While a traditional “marathon” may be 26.2 miles, the Medtronic TC Kids Marathon program encourages you and your students to train together and run your own marathon progressively, one mile at a time.

Interactive Marathon Course Map (Launches a new window, Flash Player required)

Getting started:

• Are you a group of runners? Decide if each child tracks their own mileage or if your group/class will add them up together.
• Choose a way to track your miles: create a running log or diary in a notebook; put pennies in a jar, one for each mile; keep a white board near the door and make tally marks for each mile; track your progress on a map of the city or state to see how far you get; have kids trace and cut their footprint (10 steps = a mile) and tape them up around the classroom/house to chart progress.
• Use the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon map below as a way to compare your progress to the progress of a runner on the actual MTCM course. Click on the noted mile markers for fun facts about the marathon and fitness!
• Before you head out, talk to kids about safety: run where an adult can see you and/or knows the route you are running; when running on roads, always run facing traffic, on the left side of the road; although pedestrians have the right of way, yield to cars when in doubt; always obey traffic signals; have a running buddy to encourage you, look out for you, and get help if needed.
• Keep it fun! Encourage kids, be a role model and run with them. Let them know it's o.k. to work hard at something new. Celebrate small successes, recognize perseverance and teamwork and let kids know you notice their efforts.

Thanks:

Special thanks for technology support.