Elementary School Students Train to Run "Marathon" | News

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WUSA) -- Last year, 9 NEWS Now brought you live coverage of the first-ever Rock & Roll marathon, the only marathon run entirely in the District. This year, the adult marathon and half-marathon have already sold out. But the kickoff for its companion INC Kid's Rock D.C. race took place Wednesday morning at Barnard Elementary.

" If you have a child who's exercising and eating healthy, then that child is available for learning," said Barnard Elementary Principal, Dr. Grace Reid.

About 500 students hit the track in a frenzy as they took their first steps towards running a marathon. They will have one month to run 25.2 miles incrementally and at their own pace, either during school hours or at home. They will keep track of their progress in log book before running the final mile on the actual race day.
" Kids were born to move. And we're not getting kids to be active enough," said Rod Dixon, an Olympian and New York City Marathon champion.

Dixon has teamed up with ESPN sportscaster Bonnie Bernstein to be ambassadors for this Kid Rock race.

"Being able to play with these kids, get them running, get them energized, and teach them about how fun being active can be, it's just so fulfilling for me," said Bernstein. " To come back to the area where I went to school, the University of Maryland, it's just great to be home."

The ING Kid Rock Race will take place on Friday, March 16th at 5:30 PM. Click here to register. The adult marathon and half-marathon is one day later on St. Patrick's Day and it will be carried live on 9 NEWS Now.