In partnership with the Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Run implements and supports our youth running programs in 50 elementary schools, serving 12,000 students in high need communities across the city. Approximately 91% of our participants qualify for the free or reduced federal lunch program.
The Chicago Runner's program is designed to instill the daily habit of running while promoting digital learning through our virtual marathon database that incorporates historical landmarks and lesson plans for teachers that align with the Illinois Performance Standards.
Key Design Components:
- Designed for elementary school children of all fitness and athletic levels
- 15 minutes of running/walking during the school day (during recess, lunch hour or a fitness break), 3-5 times a week
- Distance run is recorded for each child at the end of every session on the virtual database
- Children learn about historical landmarks and points of interest on various marathon routes throughout Chicago on the Chicago Run database. Each landmark contains lesson plans for teachers that focus on physical fitness, social studies, history, and math
- Children earn incentives such as hats, t-shirts, bracelets and water bottles when milestones are met; classes and schools also earn incentives based on mileage benchmarks
- Managed by a designated CHICAGO RUN Site Coordinator, with the support of Session Leaders (additional school staff)
- Session concludes with celebratory events for students, teachers, and their families
Chicago Running Mates
A middle-school based running program designed to prepare kids to run in a local 5k or 8k race. The program teaches the participants about teamwork, commitment, and perseverance utilizing a training program that incorporates fitness and nutrition. This program is unique because it trains kids from different schools together, thereby, breaking down racial and cultural stereotypes and forging friendships that might not otherwise be formed due to the geographic and cultural barriers that exist between neighborhoods.
Key Design Components:
- Designed for children in 6th-8th grades
- After-school based program that meets 3 times a week utilizing coaches to manage the program and provide a positive, active and healthy training environment
- Each hour-long session includes team-building exercises, a running workout, nutritional informational, and motivational discussion topics to promote leadership and camaraderie
- The program concludes with all prepared "Running Mates" to participate in a local 5k or 8k race
