Young students hit the track for health

KXAN(AUSTIN) - Hundreds of children at Walnut Creek Elementary School have just finished their first marathon.

Hard to imagine, but they completed the Austin Marathon Kids program.

They did not complete the hurdle at one time. Spread out over five months, the children of Walnut Creek joined thousands of Austin elementary aged students to run a marathon. That is 26.2 miles worth of running.

Christopher Cerda is just one of thousands of AISD students making not only a commitment but a difference in his life.

"When we run in the morning, it actually helps me stay focused and it actually wakes me up,” said Cerda. “It makes me happy, it wakes me up."

The school started a running club so students could run the race.

“I thought one of the ways to improve fitness scram scores was through was to increase the amount of days they run and the amount of time they run,” said Paula Bowen, Physical education teacher at Walnut Creek. “The only way to do it and the only time left in the day to do it was in the morning from 7:15 to 7:30.”

Some students arrive early to put in their time and miles on a track at the school.

The program helps Austin children create healthier lifestyles. A two-year study of Marathon Kids by UT School of Public Health revealed a positive in crease in healthy habits of children who participate in the free, six month running/walking program.

"There's been research that our district actually put out there last year that shows academic improvement with physical activity," said Bowen.

For those who finished the 26.2 miles, they'll get a medal, along with a host of other prizes. There is hopes that the marathon is about more than prizes, but will develop healthy habits for the kids, and help them form a sense of achievement for those who crossed the finish line.
Christopher

"I've been running over and over and over," said Cerda.

Those students who completed the marathon were treated to a special ceremony held in their honor. This year 72,000 K-5th graders registered in the Austin area. Last year there was an 85% completion rate.

Whole Foods is the presenting sponsor and officials say this in an investment in the future.

“Ultimately we believe that Marathon Kids isn't just for kids,” said Elizabeth Smith, with Whole Foods Market. “It's a community based program, so these kids are role models for other kids. Their siblings, there parents and their teachers.”

This is the 13th year that the program has come to Central Texas schools. Marathon Kids started in Austin as a grassroots initiative