FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dianemarie (DM) Collins
DM Productions LLC
(775) 825-1727
The Nevada Wide Open Marathon de Mayo
Once Again Runs "Kids 26.2 Marathon"
The Kids 26.2 Marathon at the Nevada Wide Open Marathon de Mayo is
where the final 1.2 mile portion of the marathon's 26.2 miles is
completed at the finish line of the marathon … Under the Reno Arch.
Each child receives a marathon medal for their efforts plus prize
rewards as they meet milestones along the way.
(Reno, Nev. - March 8, 2007) - On Thursday, February 22, 2007, almost 70
children from Echo Loder Elementary ran around their makeshift running
track reaching the five-mile marker of the Progressive Kids 26.2 Marathon.
That day was part of their bi-weekly mile run preparing for race day at the
Nevada Wide Open Marathon de Mayo on May 6, 2007 (05-06-07), over the Cinco
de Mayo weekend, The Kids 26.2 Marathon is where the kids complete the
final 1.2 mile portion of the marathon's 26.2 miles at the finish line of
the marathon … under the Reno Arch.
Each child receives an official Marathon Medal for their efforts plus they
get rewards as they meet milestones along the way. Last week at mile five
they got a cool water bottle, on Tuesday, March 13, at 12 noon to 12:30
p.m. they reach the ten-mile mark on their training and will have an even
bigger celebration at the school for them from the sponsors.
Jacki-In-the-Box is providing them a gift card for a free milk shake for
their efforts. Media is invited to the fun on Tuesday afternoon to
encourage the children in their quest to better health.
All of the students at Echo Loder Elementary, most who had never heard
about a marathon before last year, are excited about running in the race.
In 2006 teachers Jennifer Andrew and Laurie Campbell came up with the
concept for the Kids 26.2 Marathon as a way to start a running team for the
school while encouraging healthy lifestyles for their students.
"We are finally getting things started here at Echo Loder to organize a
school running team. We opened up the race to 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders,"
says Andrew, an English Second Language (ESL) teacher at the school. "There
are a lot of excited students from last year's team who are going to do it
again. They will have to complete 25 miles by May 3 before the Nevada Wide
Open Marathon de Mayo on May 6. Then they'll run their final 1.2 miles
starting at the milemarker located near Sports West at Lakeside and Mount
Rose Street."
Twice a week the two teachers start the kids off on their runs, marking the
hands four times after each circle of the quarter mile track laid out in
the open playground at the school. Each of the children have taken a pledge
to run the necessary miles each week until the marathon on May 6, 2007
(05-06-07). The kids' commitments include staying fit and eating healthy.
The event producers are still searching for a sponsor for this great team
of kids. Their sponsorship would help cover most of the costs for the kids
to run the marathon, and supply the team with racing shirts. Currently,
other sponsors such as Ahora Newspaper, Lakemont Homes, Nevada Commission
On Tourism, and Champion Chevrolet are providing the children with rewards
for additional momentum as they reach big mile markers in their journey to
complete the marathon.
Teacher Andrew says she "I ran a marathon and am currently training for my
second one. When I finished I was so elated with my accomplishment I wanted
to share some of that confidence-building with my students. What I have
also discovered is that some students that have not been the most
enthusiastic about other classes have taken to the marathon training with
great exuberance."
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