Atlanta Track Club has awarded a total of $3,500 in scholarships to four local schools that participated in the Peachtree Jr. Participant Challenge on May 17. Dacula Elementary School took first place in the challenge with 137 participants, earning the top scholarship amount of $1,500. The scholarships were awarded by Atlanta Track Club’s Kilometer Kids youth running program and the Sports Authority to the organizations that had largest number of kids register for either the Peachtree Jr. or the Lil’ Peach Dash.
“We are delighted to give back to local schools that share our mission of encouraging health and fitness in our children through running and walking,” said Rich Kenah, Atlanta Track Club’s executive director. “Most of these schools offer Atlanta Track Club’s Kilometer Kids program, and we hope the scholarships will ensure that current and future participants stay active well past this challenge.”
The 2014 Peachtree Jr. Participant Challenge winners are:
- 1st Place: Dacula Elementary School – 137 participants
$1,500 Scholarship - $1,250 cash donation from Atlanta Track Club and $250 Sports Authority store credit to be used for supplies for physical activities
- 2nd Place: Norcross Elementary School – 106 participants
$750 Scholarship - $500 cash donation from Atlanta Track Club and $250 Sports Authority store credit to be used for supplies for physical activities
- 3rd Place: Trinity School – 79 participants
$750 Scholarship - $500 cash donation from Atlanta Track Club and $250 Sports Authority store credit to be used for supplies for physical activities
- 4th Place: International Community School – 70 participants
$500 Scholarship - $250 cash donation from Atlanta Track Club and $250 Sports Authority store credit to be used for supplies for physical activities
Dacula Elementary School, Norcross Elementary School and International Community School all currently offer Kilometer Kids as afterschool programs. The Kilometer Kids program inspires youth throughout metro Atlanta and beyond to achieve health and fitness through a fun and supportive running program that instills kids with the knowledge they need to make smart lifestyle choices. Each year over 4,500 kids ages 7 to 12 take part in the Kilometer Kids program.
In addition to the Peachtree Jr. Participant Challenge scholarships, Atlanta Track Club continues to support the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s work to help fight childhood obesity in the state of Georgia. Atlanta Track Club donated $5,000 to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Strong4Life program, which provides access to free physical activity programs and events.
For more information or to sign up online to participate in the free Kilometer Kids youth running program visit kilometerkids.org.
About Atlanta Track Club
Atlanta Track Club is a nonprofit committed to creating an active and healthy Atlanta. Through running and walking, Atlanta Track Club motivates, inspires and engages the community to enjoy a healthier lifestyle. With more than 19,000 members, Atlanta Track Club is the second largest running organization in the United States. In addition to the AJC Peachtree Road Race (peachtreeroadrace.org) – the largest 10K running event in the world, and the Atlanta Half Marathon and Thanksgiving Day 5K (atlantahalfmarathon.org), Atlanta Track Club directs more than 30 events per year. Through the support of its members and volunteers, Atlanta Track Club also maintains a number of community initiatives including organizing and promoting the Kilometer Kids youth running program to metro Atlanta youth, honoring high school cross country and track and field athletes through Atlanta Track Club’s All-Metro Banquets and supporting the Grady Bicycle EMT program. For more information on Atlanta Track Club, visit atlantatrackclub.org.
About Kilometer Kids
Kilometer Kids is a youth running program dedicated to inspiring young people to achieve health and fitness through running. The fun and supportive program is run by Atlanta Track Club, the second largest running organization in the United States and organizer of the AJC Peachtree Road Race. Founded in 2007, Kilometer Kids has impacted more than 5,000 young people in metro Atlanta and beyond. The nonprofit program is funded by partners, private donations and Atlanta Track Club. For more information on Kilometer Kids, visit kilometerkids.org.