While the annual Light Up the Night for Noelle fundraising walk/run in Sarnia is still three months away, the kids marathon program is about to kick off.
The initiative is geared toward kids between the ages of four and 10.
Race Director Bryan Cowden said with help from volunteers, participants will meet during the summer months to track the number of kilometres they run or walk on their own and as a group.
"We'll run laps around the track but we'll make it fun with running games, and we usually have water-based games as well, so we make running fun," Cowden said. "What the kids will do is they'll run 41.2 kilometres over the summer with us and that final kilometre of Light up the Night will be their 42nd km, which equals a full marathon."
The program has steadily grown over the past two years.
"In the first year, we had about 15 dedicated kids and that grew to about 25 to 30 last year," he said. "I expect this year to be a little bit bigger as word spreads about how good the program is."
Cowden said he wanted to start the summer program after seeing a similar one take place in Ottawa.
"I just wanted to get kids running because I know the benefits running has brought me, between the mental health and the physical health of it," Cowden said. "Parents appreciate it because they can see their own child, when they complete the program, have a little more confidence in themselves."
Cowden said the summer program is free once children are registered for the 1km kids race.
The first run will take place on Wednesday, June 24. Further run details (such as location) will be provided once children are registered.
Meanwhile, registration is also open for the 10km and 5km options.
Light Up the Night for Noelle will take place on Saturday, September 26, through Canatara Park and Waterfront Park, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Funds raised will support Noelle's Gift to Children, a non-profit organization supporting students in Sarnia-Lambton and Chatham-Kent.
Those interested in becoming a volunteer can also sign up through the registration website.
