Austin ISD and Marathon Kids celebrates the third year of a partnership to take youth exercise in Austin to the next level.

Through the collaboration, AISD elementary school teachers will use the Marathon Kids research-based curriculum during daily Working Out for Wellness time.

During the year, students will be encouraged to run or walk the equivalent of four marathons in 10-minute daily increments. For each marathon completed, students receive rewards from Nike.

What:  AISD chief of teaching and learning Edmund Oropez will do a brief warmup, followed by a lap run of AISD staff members alongside Maplewood Elementary School students.

When:  8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 15

Where: Maplewood Elementary School, 3808 Maplewood Ave. 

Background: Physical inactivity among youth has created a nationwide pandemic, with youth obesity rates tripling since the 1980s. For 20 years, Marathon Kids has introduced youth in Austin to the joy of physical activity in a simple, fun and effective program. The program forges a lifelong commitment to exercise during the most formative years in a child’s life, one mile at a time. Last year, AISD elementary students improved their cardiovascular endurance from 67 percent to 72 percent.

About Marathon Kids

Marathon Kids is a national non-profit organization offering an evidence-based, scalable physical activity program for schools, community-based organizations and families through North America and beyond. It is dedicated to improving the health of children by providing them the tools, motivation and support to live happier, healthier lifestyles. For more information, visit marathonkids.org, or follow us on Twitter at @MarathonKids.