Kilometer Kids is Atlanta Track Club's oldest and largest youth running program. The free, game-based curriculum is designed to teach kids in K-5th grade about goal setting, healthy habits, respect, and community building, all through exposing them to the sport of running. Over the course of the 10-week season, the goal for every Kilometer Kid is to run 13.1 or 26.2 miles (depending on how many practices they attend each week). There is no fee to participate, and the program is for all elementary students regardless of running ability or experience. Being a Kilometer Kid is not about running the fastest or winning the race. Instead it's all about working hard, being kind and having fun while becoming more physically active, being a part of a team and finding joy in the process.


SITE LEAD registration for Spring 2023 will open on December 1. If you are interested in bringing Kilometer Kids to your school or community, please reach out to kilometerkids@atlantatrackclub.org.

If you would like to be added to the e-list for SPRING 2023 as a PARTICIPANT, please email us at kilometerkids@atlantatrackclub.org and include your child's age, grade, what school they attend, and preferred area of town/location you would be looking for a team in your email.

If you are looking for a program for middle schoolers, please check out Atlanta Track Club's Youth Team.

Date & Time

  • Spring 2023 Season: February 27-May 12

Location

  • Bring it to your school, neighborhood, community organization or home!

Cost

  • FREE

Donate here to support Kilometer Kids!

The program launched in 2007 with one location serving 38 kids. Since then, Kilometer Kids has grown significantly and now impacts thousands of children each year in the Atlanta region and beyond. The program is funded by Atlanta Track Club, private donations, foundation grants and community partners. Kilometer Kids is also an official charity of the AJC Peachtree Road Race.

"This program [is] incredible! My son loves it and we all look forward to coming out twice a week. He's met some great kids and is so proud of his running."

-Batya, Atlanta Track Club Community Team Piedmont Park Parent/Guardian

"I want to thank [Atlanta Track Club] for helping us…move and inspire youth…The long life fitness goals presented in the Kilometer Kids [program] teach them proper techniques to live a healthy lifestyle."

-Coach Ellington, Tucker Middle School

"This is a phenomenal program and I thank [Atlanta Track Club] for supporting community fitness [through] education programs like this!!!"

-Jennifer, Underwood Hills Track Stars Parent/Guardian


"This is such a great program for kids who want to run but don't have a parent who does. So glad we were able to introduce our daughter to the sport in a fun, safe, and positive way!"

-Parent, Atlanta Track Club Community Team Piedmont Park


"My son loved collecting the bands, and he wears his [Kilometer Kids] shirt with pride because he earned it."

-Verity, Saint Jude Catholic School Parent/Guardian



"I just love the program! I continuously worry about my son's self esteem and anxiety and this program has been great because it gets kids focused on achieving and doing their best without ever putting them on the hot seat, or judging, or getting too competitive."

-Rebecca, Atlanta Track Club Community Team Brook Run Park Parent/Guardian


" We were so impressed with how much fun [our son] had and all the information he brought home to us."

-Christina, King Springs Elementary Parent/Guardian

"My daughter enjoyed the program more than I thought she would. She didn't want it to end. Her confidence has increased knowing that she can run a mile."

-Shalewa, Atlanta Track Club Community Team Piedmont Park Parent/Guardian


"[Kilometer Kids] improved my kids' team building effort and teamwork, supported their peers in a very friendly way, helped them set up goals and [understand] how to achieve these goals...It is an amazing program!"

-Maira, Atlanta Track Club Community Team Piedmont Park Parent/Guardian


"My daughter loved Kilometer Kids! She met new friends and loved all activities."

-Atlanta Track Club Community Team Brook Run Park Parent/Guardian


"I have been so impressed with the program for both 2021 and 2022. The coaches, the planning, and the curriculum (goal setting, etc) is so well executed."

-Parent, Atlanta Track Club Community Team Piedmont Park


The Site-Based Program

What makes Kilometer Kids different from many other sports-based youth development programs is that we do not train outside volunteers and send them out to schools and communities. Instead, in order to host a Kilometer Kids program, we require someone from that school or community to serve as the coach.

Every program site is unique with different needs, and a member of that community is best equipped to understand those needs. We believe this model fosters a greater sense of camaraderie and trust. So, if you are a teacher looking to start an afterschool physical activity program for your students, a parent trying to get the kids in your neighborhood moving, or a member of a community organization looking for new sports-based youth programming, our site-based Kilometer Kids program is for you!

As the site lead/head coach, you have the flexibility to decide whether you will participate for the fall and/or spring season, where your team will practice, and what days and times works best for you and your participants to meet. When you register as a Kilometer Kids site lead/head coach, you will get FREE access to:

  • Our 10-week, gamed-based running curriculum consisting of daily lesson plans that include weekly themes and discussion questions, fun games, daily runs and resources for further learning
  • Coaching orientation, CPR/First Aid training, and SafeSport certification to prepare you for the season
  • Electronic mileage tracking tools to make tracking your participants' progress streamlined and organized
  • T-shirts, wristbands and other incentives to motivate your Kilometer Kids to reach the goal of running 13.1 or 26.2 total miles
  • Opportunities for your participants to compete in FREE, fun, midweek runs and other Atlanta Track Club youth running events
  • Support, consulting and mentoring from Atlanta Track Club Staff, elite athletes and veteran Kilometer Kids coaches

Please email us at kilometerkids@atlantatrackclub.org if you have questions about starting a program.

Atlanta Track Club
Community Kilometer Kids

Do you want to register your child for in-person Kilometer Kids but are not able to start a site in your school or community? Or are you looking to enroll your child in an afterschool program where they can meet new people? We've got a solution for you! Introducing Atlanta Track Club Community Kilometer Kids. We are excited to announce that Atlanta Track Club will be running two Kilometer Kids site-based programs at Brook Run Park and at Piedmont Park. Like all other Kilometer Kids sites, participation is free, but while school-specific sites are restricted to those who attend that school, these teams are open to anyone!

Location & Practice Times:

  • Brook Run Park: Mondays & Wednesday from 4:30-5:30pm.
  • Piedmont Park: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 4:30-5:30pm.

Registration for our Kilometer Kids Community Sites will open in mid-January for the Spring 2023 season. Please email us at kilometerkids@atlantatrackclub.org to be added to the e-list for SPRING 2023.

If you would be interested in coaching at one of our community sites, please email us at kilometerkids@atlantatrackclub.org for more information.

Inspiring The Next Generation

Shane Streich, Yolanda Ngarambe & Gemma Finch of Atlanta Track Club Elite talking about how they build healthy habits with Kilometer Kids at Piedmont Park.

At Atlanta Track Club, a primary goal is to inspire the next generation of runners and walkers. We provide our youth program participants the opportunity to meet professional track and field athletes and to learn how they started their running and walking journeys, overcame personal challenges, and became elite athletes! Every season, members of Atlanta Track Club Elite visit many of our Kilometer Kids program sites to help lead participants through a proper warmup and cooldown, answer questions, share advice, play running games with the teams, and cheer Kilometer Kids on as they work towards their mileage goals,.

If you are interested in starting a program and bringing some professional runners to your school, organization or neighborhood, email us to learn more about this unique opportunity to help inspire your young runners and walkers.

Meet Madison!

Madison is the Kilometer Kids Program Manager! Born and raised in Atlanta, she has fond memories of running the Peachtree Junior as a kid. After almost a decade away, she is excited to be back in warmer climate to join Atlanta Track Club to support youth through increasing access to opportunities for physical activity, and to build community through sport. Madison played collegiate soccer at Tufts University where she earned her B.A. in Community Health & Anthropology. She went on to earn her Master's in Public Health in Health Behavior & Health Education from the University of Michigan. In her free time, you can find Madison cheering on Atlanta United, looking for any excuse to eat ice cream, or planning her next travel adventure.

To learn more about Madison's journey with running, sports-based youth development and Atlanta Track Club, check out her feature in the January 2021 issue of Wingfoot Magazine!

Frequently Asked Questions

What costs are associated with the program?

There are no fees associated with implementing or participating in Kilometer Kids.

Does Kilometer Kids have an age limit?

Yes. Kilometer Kids is for children in grades K-5 so between the ages of 5 and 12. The curriculum was created for an elementary audience.

How often are Kilometer Kids practices held?

The program is designed to occur over a 10-week period. Ideally practices are offered twice a week. This duration and frequency of practice allows ample time for each participant to try to achieve their 26.2 miles. For some sites where they are only able to practice once a week, the goal may be lowered to 13.1 miles for the season and/or participants are encouraged to exercise at home with their family on an additional day each week. The days and times of practices are determined by each individual site.

Who supervises each individual Kilometer Kids program on site?

Individual Kilometer Kids sites are responsible for providing a volunteer site lead/head coach. These individuals have attended a coaching orientation with Atlanta Track Club, have passed a background check, and are CPR/First Aid and SafeSport certified. They may be supported by assistant coaches and other parent volunteers also provided by the individual site. We recommend that there is one coach for every 15-20 kids.

What are the expectations and requirements to be a Kilometer Kids site lead/head coach?

To be a site lead/head coach of a Kilometer Kids program NO EXPERIENCE is required! We will provide you with daily practice plans, an orientation and lots of mentoring and support. All you need to do is register your team with us, have all of your participants register for your specific team on the Atlanta Track Club website, and follow our curriculum each week.

Can I start a new program?

Yes! Starting a new program is easy! Contact us for more information.

I would prefer my child join an existing team. Is there a Kilometer Kids site near me?

If you are looking for a team in your area, please email us at kilometerkids@atlantatrackclub.org and we will help you locate the team closest to you.

My child's school does not have a Kilometer Kids team. Can they still participate in the program?

Yes! If your school does not have a Kilometer Kids team you can start your own team, join one of the Community Kilometer Kids sites, or another site listed as "Public" on our registration page (please note this link will only appear on our website when registration is open). While school specific sites ("Private") are restricted to those who attend that school, the Community Kilometer Kids sites and all programs listed as "Public" are open to anyone.

If I have more questions about Atlanta Track Club's Kilometer Kids program who should I contact?

Please email kilometerkids@atlantatrackclub.org and someone will get back to you within 48-72 hours.

Do I need to secure my own insurance?

Yes. Atlanta Track Club does not provide insurance for individual site-based programs. Partners are encouraged to acquire their own liability coverage or to use any coverage provided by their program site.


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