Marathon Kids

Join USU Extension as we run, walk and play our way to being healthy!

What is Marathon Kids?

Marathon Kids is a national program with the mission to get all kids moving. Research shows when children participate in Marathon Kids, they have a better chance of getting the recommended amount of daily physical activity. That’s good news for their bodies and minds. When kids feel healthy, they perform better in school, think more clearly, and improve their attitude/behavior. This program is free and all kids of any fitness level or age can participate.

Current USU Extension Marathon Kids Programs to Join

  • DAVIS COUNTY April 1-6: Sign up HERE
    • Join the Davis County Spring Break Movement Challenge! You can do any kind of heart-pumping activity and track it in our free digital platform OR by using fun and free printable trackers available at www.marathonkids.usu.edu. Every minute or mile of activity counts, so let’s see how much we can move this spring break. Do activities on your own AND join us at USU Extension Davis/USU Botanical Center in Kaysville every weekday to try out a new movement path during spring break, beginning April 1st. Prizes will be available! Questions? Contact emma.parkhurst@usu.edu

Do you want a Marathon Kids program in your county? Contact emma.parkhurst@usu.edu to find out how to the process started.

How to join the Summer USU Extension Marathon Kids Program.

Looking for a fun and free way to keep your family active this summer? Join USU Extension Marathon Kids June 3 – August 10, 2024 as we run, walk, and play our way to being healthy!

  • Step 1. Registration coming soon!
    • Complete the registration survey to sign-up participants as young as 2 years of age.
  • Step 2. Set a goal & get active
    • No matter what you want to achieve, setting a goal is an important step to help guide your focus and keep you motivated.
    • You can walk, run, play, or do any kind of heart-pumping activity to count towards your marathon of activity – every mile or minute counts! If you aren’t able to officially measure your running or walking distance, you can base your mileage on time. Every five minutes of heart-pumping activity or exercise you do is equivalent to a quarter of a mile.

Examples of run/jog/walk minutes:

  • 5 minutes = 1/4 of a mile
  • 10 minutes = 1/2 of a mile
  • 15 minutes = 3/4 of a mile
  • 20 minutes = 1 mile

Examples of heart-pumping activities:

  • 5 minutes of jumping rope = 1/4 mile
  • 10 minutes jog/walk = 1/2 mile
  • 15 minutes of bike riding = 3/4 mile
  • 20 minutes of a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout = 1 mile
graphic showing different types of heart pumping activity


Interested in getting active with friends? Considering becoming a USU Extension Marathon Kids coach?
Contact emma.parkhurst@usu.edu to see what in-person programs are near you and to learn about coach training opportunities!

Contact

Statewide Virtual Program

nutrition county
Extension
expert
health and wellness
Directory
mentalhealthteam
healthwellness
home and community
Emma Parkhurst
HOFF
canning
aware staff
homeandcomm
Davis County
aware northern
food preservation
Emma Parkhurst

Emma Parkhurst

Professional Practice Extension Assistant Professor | Health and Wellness | Davis County

(435) 919-1334

emma.parkhurst@usu.edu

Marathon Kids Team

homeandcomm
Beaver County
Directory
health and wellness
aware staff
nutrition county
Extension
Cindy Nelson
mentalhealthteam
expert
healthwellness
aware central
home and community
heart
Cindy Nelson

Cindy Nelson

Extension Associate Professor | Health and Wellness | 4-H and Youth | Beaver County

435-438-6452

cindy.nelson@usu.edu

Davis County
home and community
Confidence
heart
Directory
Extension
Sadie Wilde
Faculty
Weber County
agwellnessmentalhealthassistance
homeandcomm
healthwellness
Sadie Wilde

Sadie Wilde

Professional Practice Extension Assistant Professor | Health & Wellness | Davis & Weber County

435-919-1324

sadie.wilde@usu.edu

Shannon Cromwell
mentalhealthteam
healthwellness
aware central
aware staff
Sanpete County
relationship experts
Directory
Extension
home and community
nutrition county
expert
homeandcomm
Shannon Cromwell

Shannon Cromwell

Extension Associate Professor | Sanpete County

(435)-283-3472

shannon.cromwell@usu.edu

home and community
expert
Extension
homeandcomm
nutrition county
level-up
finance directory
Directory
healthwellness
Cache County
Jenna Dyckman
Jenna Dyckman

Jenna Dyckman

Extension Assistant Professor | Cache County

435-752-6263

jenna.dyckman@usu.edu

e-cigarette prevention
healthwellness
Christina Pay
relationship experts
homeandcomm
Carbon County
Extension
home and community
heart
aware central
Directory
Confidence
mentalhealthteam
aware staff
nutrition county
Christina Pay

Christina Pay

Extension Assistant Professor | Family & Consumer Sciences | Carbon County

(435) 636-3236

christina.pay@usu.edu

Eva Timothy
aware staff
homeandcomm
aware central
Directory
physicalhealthteam
healthwellness
mentalhealthteam
relationship experts
Extension
home and community
Millard County
Confidence
Eva Timothy

Eva Timothy

Professional Practice Extension Assistant Professor | Millard County Director

(435)-864-1483

eva.timothy@usu.edu