Dear Editor Carol,

Hi, My name is Holly Turner and I am a PE Specialist at Grant & McNear Elementary Schools in Petaluma, CA. Last year I started a running (marathon club) for grades 3-6th before school one morning per week.

The kids run 1.2 miles (or run walk) and then mark off their mileage on a spreadsheet. Every 5 times they get a plastic running toe tag for their shoelaces. This year I promised them finishers medals for the kids who run 26 miles (total distance over the school year).

We have 160 kids (WOW) in the program. I expect most to finish. Do you know where I purchase cheap but nice medals???

I love your website!!

Dear Holly,

Congratulations on leading a successful running program for kids. It's great that you are rewarding them with toe tokens and medals. My kids also earn toe tokens from the school running program and they each receive a medal at our family fun run in the spring.

I have had good luck with medals from awards.com. If you purchase the medals earlier enough, they will engrave the name of the event and the runner's name on the medal.

I'm not sure how the cost compares to other companies. Perhaps you can get the parents to buy them or funding from another source.

Good luck and we'd love to have a photo of your kids with their medals to put on the site.

My kids are really looking forward to receiving their medals at our fun run. For many it will be their first. Do you remember your first medal? Please let us know.

Do you have any questions about a child's running program? Feel free to email the kid's editor at carol.kids@rodale.com.