Kilometer Kids

Program Format

• Children are encouraged to set goals and accumulate at least 26.2 total miles (a marathon) and record their progress on their Running Log.  The program culminates with the Peachtree Junior 3K, 1k, & 50m Dash for the spring program and the Thanksgiving Day 5K, One Mile, & 50m Dash for the fall program.
• Atlanta Track Club will provide resources for you to promote the program and a coach’s kit to facilitate 11 weeks of practices.
• Children meet twice per week with volunteer  “coaches” who guide them through flexible pre-planned lessons
• Lessons incorporate running-related games, drills and stretches
• Prizes provided at 10 miles, 15, 20 and 26.2 milestones
• Your host site recruits volunteer coaches, (ratio 1 coach: 15 kids). No experience necessary!
• The host site provides grass field, gym, or vacant parking lots to hold practice

Program Benefits          

• Opportunity to participate in 20+ youth running events throughout the year
• Great for a wide range of ages and abilities
• Children form a “team” mentality and learn goal setting skills
• Ripple effect of healthy lifestyles for parents, schools, volunteers delivering the program
• Registration platform access for data management
• Support, consulting and site visits by Atlanta Track Club staff and elite athletes
• Four application opportunities each year to earn grants and prize money for your team

Parent Questions

 

Is there a Kilometer Kids host site near me?

• Click here for a map showing previous Kilometer Kids host sites. 
  • Because some sites only host Kilometer Kids intermittently, not all sites listed are necessarily active programs for this season.
  • Most school teams are limited to children attending that school. So, please do give your child's school an overview of the program!
• If you would like to join an exisiting team, please contact the host site prior to completing registration.  Participating teams schedule their own meeting times and dates and may have restrictions on the maximum number of participants. 

My community does not have a Kilometer Kids team, can we participate as a family?

• Yes! You can register and participate in the program as an individual and track your child’s mileage over the fall season.  
• For individuals not associated with a team, prizes will be mailed upon completion (and our receipt) of the Running Logs. 
• If you are interested in bringing Kilometer Kids to your school or site, let us know! ([email protected]).

When does the Kilometer Kids program begin and end?

• The Fall program begins the first week of September and ends at the Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, 5k, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia One Mile & 50m Dash in November. 
• The spring session will begin the first week of March and will end at the Peachtree Junior 3K, 1k, & 50m Dash in May.

 

 

How often should Kilometer Kids sessions be held?

• In order for kids to achieve their mileage goals, the suggested schedule is two 60 minute sessions per week for 11 weeks.
• Kids will need to “average” 1.25 miles per session.

Does the Kilometer Kids program have an age limit?

• All kids ages 5-14 can participate on a Kilometer Kids team.
• Events in the Youth Running Series are open to all ages 14 and under. 

Who supervises the program?

• Individual Kilometer Kids sites are responsible for providing volunteer program supervisors or any supervisor compensation. 
• If participating as a family, you are the coach and supervisor and you may have to modify some of the games that are geared towards larger teams.

What costs are associated with the Kilometer Kids program?

• There is no cost to host sites or participants.

 

Coach Questions

Is the program flexible?

• Yes! A typical team meets twice a week for eleven weeks each season. However, some meet once a week for 22 weeks, some meet in the summer, and some meet year round. Some meet in fields and parking lots, some in gyms, at schools, YMCA's, neighborhood associations etc.  

Who can participate in the Kilometer Kids program, and is there a limit on how many kids can take part in the program?

• All kids ages 5-14 can participate in the Kilometer Kids program
• It is recommended we have at least 1 coach/supervisor per 15-20 kids. Some teams have 15 kids and some have almost 300.

Who supervises the program?

• Each Kilometer Kids host site is responsible for providing volunteer program supervisors. Atlanta Track club will pay for online background checks since many coaches are volunteers and parents not checked through the school.
• Plan to have at least two coaches, and programs with 15+ kids should plan on having one adult for every 15 kids. 
• High school students qualify as program supervisors if they are working with another responsible adult, over the age of 21.  At least one, if not all, of the program supervisors should be able to run with the kids.

 

How are kids rewarded for participating?

• Children are given prizes throughout the season for meeting mileage benchmarks.
• Typical prizes include a T-shirt, water bottle, pedometer, jump rope, etc.
• We also provide coaches a game based running curriculum, provide participation prize money to the biggest teams a some events, and provide transportation money assistance to select qualifying teams. 

What costs are associated with the Kilometer Kids program?

• Kilometer Kids is free for all host sites, coaches, and participants.
• The program is typically led by volunteers, but host sites are responsible for any program supervisor compensation. 

Have more questions?

• Click here for more information about helping a team or starting your own.