Faces of Fitness Philanthropy – Marinda Reynolds and Marathon Kids
// April 8th, 2010 // No Comments » // Media
Check out our very own Valkyries President! Austin Fit Magazine has just completed an article on Kay Morris, Marinda Reynolds and Marathon Kids.
KAY MORRIS & MARINDA REYNOLDS
Marathon Kids (MK)
Back in1996, who would have thought Marathon Kids would be the health and fitness force it is today, operating in seven cities, serving more than 700,000 kids nationwide. Well, Kay Morris, founder and executive director of the non-profit probably couldn’t have even imagined the magnitude of its success.
Still serving as executive director, Morris, along with national program director Marinda Reynolds, have cultivated best practices of childhood fitness and nutrition into a simple, evidence-based program now widely known as Marathon Kids. A non-profit which was started right here in Austin.
The efficacy of their efforts have been due in large part to the elegance of Marathon Kids’ model, which works off a simple, straightforward marathon construct. Children are challenged to run or walk 26.2 miles over a six month-period, and to keep them motivated and accountable, each child is given a Marathon Kids Running Log where they color in each ¼-mile they complete. Additionally, they’re challenged to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables for 26.2 days every month.
For those who manage to complete the task, a final mile and award ceremony awaits, where each child shares their accomplishment with other Marathon Kids and the myriad of foundations and corporate sponsors who make the program possible.
“Because we’re six months in length, the children develop habits through their daily or weekly participation, and ultimately engage their parents,” Morris explains. “Then a circle is complete in which parents often provide healthier meals and encourage the children to continue their family exercise long after the program is officially over…and long after the children have earned their rewards.”
Currently offered to public and private elementary schools, as well as home schools and independent families, physical educators, classroom teachers and parents can all participate. And amazingly, the program is, and has always been free, thanks to generous contributions from foundations, national and local businesses as well as individual donors.
“We engage thousands of children across income streams, across ethnicities. Because we focus on inner cities, we hit our target market: those most vulnerable to type 2 diabetes and sedentary lifestyles,” Morris says. “We keep the program simple and accessible, so it’s immediately easy for a whole family, a school or a district to step into it.”
Morris, a tireless fundraiser, passionate advocate of Marathon Kids and well-known Austin personality, sees her role at the organization evolving into one that’s less hands-on.
“We’re very lean and mean and move fast when we need to,” she says. “But seriously, I’m most proud of building a small national headquarters, staff and board who offer creativity, empathy and improved structure to an idea that was begun by a slow, middle-aged, local runner.”
Q&A:
Who or what inspires you Personally and professionally?
The Lance Armstrong Foundation and Special Olympics. Personally, it would be the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
What do you do to stay in shape?
Walk. Swim. The Gym. Marinda plays rugby and runs.
How healthy is your diet?
Healthy. And we make sure to drink that daily glass of red wine.
Get Involved:
{1} Volunteer at a Kick-Off or Final Mile Medal Celebration by emailing m#mce_temp_url#
{2} Go to MarathonKids.org/volunteer and look around.
{3} Come by our national office at 2512 S. I-35, Ste. 350 to volunteer.
Visit the web site: marathonkids.org
