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Announces FALL
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NEW FAIRFAX
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thecenterforballetarts.com 26
October 2015
washingtonFAMILY.com



Don’t Miss the MCM Kids Run!
TEXT SANDRA OSBORN-PETERS
T he MCM Kids Run, hosted
annually by the Marine Corps
Marathon (MCM) on the final
Saturday of October, has become
the premier fall event for motivated
school groups and active families. The fall
running event welcomes 3,600 kids to the
Pentagon North parking lot. The one-
mile, have-as-much-fun-as-you-can event
is focused on a mission of promoting
physical fitness and inspiring healthy
lifestyle choices for families.

“Participating in the next MCM Kids Run
is something participants look forward
to as soon as they cross the finish line,”
explains MCM Director Rick Nealis. “The
event has become synonymous with back-
to-school and the beginning of fall family-
fitness activities.”
For many young runners, covering the
one-mile distance requires only minutes.

For others, the journey takes a bit more
time. “Just showing up is a meaningful step
toward a healthier life for some children,”
added Nealis. “The Marines are present in
full force to encourage every child to keep
moving forward.”
To maximize family time and enhance the
MCM Kids Run experience, a family-
fitness festival, called Camp Miles,
entertains and educates participants
throughout the day. The popular activity
area is named for the MCM bulldog
mascot, Miles, and features a free, all-day
activity area with interactive challenges,
crafts, exhibits and games focusing on
health and fitness.

“Guests of all ages, whether participating
in the MCM Kids Run or cheering, will
discover something new and energizing
while attending this event,” said Nealis.

“This is a place for families, parents,
teachers and coaches to support and
encourage children to be active.”
Teachers are an important mentor
in many student lives. They provide
motivation throughout the year and
MCM partner Sodexo recognizes this
commitment by providing five Healthy
School Awards annually. Each Healthy
School Award includes a monetary
donation presented by Sodexo to the top
five school groups represented by student
participation in the event. U.S. Marines,
along with mascots Miles and Molly,
and representatives from the National
Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB),
engage students during a school-wide
“Jump with Jill” assembly.

“Jump with Jill offers a unique way to
reach students in the schools and get them
up and moving,” says Stephanie Barlow,
director of PR and Social Media, NWPB.

“The Watermelon Board encourages kids
to try one new fruit or vegetable each
week, and this fits perfectly with the
theme of the show, as well as the mission
of the MCM Kids Run.”
Limited space is still available for
group registration, as well as individual
participation in the MCM Kids Run on
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015. Register now at
www.marinemarathon.com. Sandra Osborn-Peters is the MCM communications
coordinator. Parents can register their kids
individually for the MCM Kids Run at www.

marinemarathon.com, and schools can register
groups of students by contacting Sandra at sandra.

osbornpeters@usmc.mil. For sponsor information, or
to participate in Camp Miles, please contact MCM
Sponsorship Coordinator, Denise Matoushek, at
denisematoushek@usmc.mil. Articles in the Healthy
Kids Series are presented by the Marine Corps
Marathon’s MCM Kids Run. No federal or Marine
Corps endorsement implied.

washingtonFAMILY.com October 2015 27