FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jacqui Sanderson
Race Director
BURNCO Calgary Marathon
(403) 264-2996
Shawn Davis
General Manager of Communications
YMCA Calgary
(403) 781-1675
A Marathon for Kids? Absolutely!
CALGARY, June 3 /CNW/ - As part of its race weekend, the BURNCO Calgary
Marathon will host the YMCA Strong Kids Marathon for the second year in a
row. So far, over 250 kids have already registered for this unique race
that allows young people to participate in their first-ever marathon.
The kids start training this week, walking or running one kilometre at a
time until they complete a total of 40.6 km prior to race day on Sunday
July 10. On race day, the kids will complete the last 1.6 kilometre (one
mile) of their marathon along with elite and recreational runners at the
BURNCO Calgary Marathon.
Jacqui Sanderson, Race Director for the BURNCO Calgary Marathon, says
that this is a great way to open up the run to athletes of all ages. "We
want to demonstrate that walking or running is about combining fun, family
and fitness. By partnering with YMCA Calgary, we can educate families about
the importance of incorporating health, fitness and goal-setting into their
regular routines and show them ways that can make it enjoyable for the
whole family." To assist the kids with their race, the BURNCO Calgary
Marathon and YMCA Calgary have developed a variety of training tools for
them, including training tips and schedules.
"The YMCA Strong Kids Marathon is also a great way to teach kids the
importance of community giving," says Nick Parkinson, Vice President of
Financial Development and Communications with YMCA Calgary, when asked
about the pledges the kids will collect as part of their race. "First the
kids get really excited about their own race, and then they realize that by
running their own race they can help other, less fortunate kids. This
message really seems to hit home for most of them and teaches the
importance of being community-minded." 100% of all pledges raised through
the BURNCO Calgary Marathon weekend this year will go directly to YMCA
Calgary's Strong Kids Campaign. Through this annual fundraising campaign,
YMCA Calgary is able to provide financial assistance to more than 10,500
children and youth each year, ensuring that no child is turned away from a
YMCA experience due to economic circumstance.
Last year, 500 kids took part in the YMCA Strong Kids Marathon, the first
year that the BURNCO Calgary Marathon partnered with the YMCA and their
Strong Kids Campaign. 1,000 kids are expected to register for this year's
event.
ABOUT THE BURNCO CALGARY MARATHON
The purpose of the BURNCO Calgary Marathon is to promote fitness, health
and improve quality of life. To annually host a premier running event in
the City of Calgary, currently known as the "BURNCO Calgary Marathon", for
runners of all ages and abilities, in the spirit of competition, pleasure,
and sportsmanship which results in financial support for a designated
charity or charities. www.calgarymarathon.com
ABOUT YMCA CALGARY
YMCA Calgary is a charitable organization dedicated to serving the
community through a variety of programs and services for people of all ages
and abilities. For more than 100 years, hundreds of thousands of Calgarians
have been involved in YMCA Calgary through community programs, health,
fitness and recreation, camping, education and personal development
opportunities. The YMCA looks forward to another century of building strong
kids, strong families and strong communities. www.ymcacalgary.org
###
|
