MERCEDES MARATHON Goals and incentives by Carol Goodrow Running Kids at the Mercedes Marathon SETTING A GOAL Want your children to start running and stick with it? Then design a program where kids can track their progress and work to earn a reward, be it prizes from a treasure box, or an invitation to participate in an event. It works. Children thrive when they can see that they are making progress. They learn to compete with themselves and work so that they can reach a goal. And get more kids to jump on the bandwagon by doing something outrageous. Then top it off with a visit from a famous runner. This will make their event seem even more precious. MERCEDES MARATHON This year P.E. teacher, Tad Brisendine and his students participated in the Mercedes Marathon. Tad ran the full marathon and his children participated in the kids' marathon. The kids' program was designed so that the children had to earn their spot in the 1-mile race. What did they have to do? They had to run 25 miles over a period of time, in order to complete their final mile at the kids' Mercedes event. The children were to track their mileage running anywhere from 1/4 mile and up at school in the weeks preceding the marathon. Tad, an avid runner, wanted lots of participation from the kids. The year before there were 110 participants. He promised the students that if the number participants reached 300, he would wear a pair of pink running shoes in the marathon. His challenge worked! 320 children signed up to participate in the kids' marathon this year...many with the goal in mind of seeing their P.E. teacher run the marathon in pink sneakers. The event was a success. The children were in full participation and received medals with the "Mercedes" logo upon crossing the finish line. They were also treated to a visit by 1968 Boston Marathon winner, Amby Burfoot, a guest at a school assembly where he spoke of the influence of his teacher and coach, John Kelley, after he entertained the students by prancing around a little in Tad's pink sneakers. If you're a teacher or teacher/runner and you're a bit disappointed in the participation of your students in your program, then be a little creative, like Tad, and find away to double your participation. Kids and Amby at the RW Half-Marathon Expo and Kids' Event Feel free to email the kid's editor at carol.kids@rodale.com.