Second Annual Medtronic TC Kids Marathon Spring Run Bring in Big Smiles with Kids

Under recently rare, sunny skies and perfect spring temperatures Saturday, May 17, nearly 900 young runners gathered for the second annual Medtronic TC Kids Marathon at Como Park in St. Paul—a program which encourages kids to get interested in fitness by “running one mile at a time.”  Ranging from age three through age14, kids lined up in “chutes” by grade for either the half-mile run or the mile run around the Park Pavilion grounds.

“Watching these kids as they warmed-up and ran this event was powerful,” said Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. race director Brian Mastel.  “Their positive energy and determination to finish what many had worked on all spring was evident in their faces and they all ran a great race!”

Smiles abounded, energetic music played and seasoned  Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. volunteers helped warm up young muscles before-hand, with stretches, toe touches and encouragement.  Marathon mascots Harry and Shelly were on hand to cheer for all, and an assortment of 900 peanut butter/and or jelly sandwiches were distributed to attendees as they sat on the grass for a power lunch after the run.

Sixteen schools and youth groups, including the Minneapolis YWCA, Bolder Options and Saint Paul Park and Recreation participated, as well as many individual families. Said Bolder Options running program coordinator Maria Kustritz: “I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to you and all the staff and volunteers for putting on such a great event Saturday!   All the Bolder Options youth and mentors had a blast and for me it was especially cool to see our kids cheering each other on into the finish and acknowledging their peers' accomplishments and how proud they were of each other.  Events like that, which bring out the best in kids, help remind me why I love my job so much.”

On hand was David Etzwiler, Medtronic Foundation Executive Director.  As he prepared to sound the starting blast he told the crowd, “We, at the Medtronic Foundation, are thrilled to team up with the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon for this program that helps gets kids active and fit….. to see so many of you here today having fun and getting some exercise, that’s what this program is all about.”

For the kids, it was about many things.  “I had fun,” said Olivia (7) from St. Paul, who came out to run the half-mile with her family.  “Finishing was the best part.”  Jeremy (11), who ran the half-mile with the kids from the YWCA of Minneapolis, said “Coming down the hill before the finish line was awesome; it was like running on a mountain.”  And for Carolyn (14) of Meadow Creek School in St. Paul, running has become part of her life.  “I really liked that I had the opportunity to run today,’ she said.  “Running is cool and I run with my school’s track team.”

The next 12-week Medtronic TC Kids Marathon training program gets underway June 25 online at www.mtcmarathon.org.   Families and summer programs can take part and train for the Medtronic TC Family Events, which take place Saturday, October 4 at the State Capitol Grounds in St. Paul.  Look for information under the events tab on the website. 

For a scrapbook of photos from the event, click here

A hearty congratulations to all who came out to the Medtronic TC Kids Marathon Cross Country Run at Como Park on Saturday May 17th! 

Here's what some participants had to say about their day....