What better way to get your child active than to have them run a half marathon! Here's how our Youth Half Marathon will work:

• Each child will register online through the normal registration link on our webpage.
• Print a copy of the ACTIVITY LOG found here.
• Run/walk 1 mile per week for the 12 weeks prior to April 13, 2012. You can do this in increments or a full one mile at a time, it's up to you. If you miss a week, be sure to make it up so that you complete 12 miles prior to race day.
• Log your miles on your activity log each week.
• Bring your activity log and a signed waiver with you on race day (Friday, April 13) to vouch that you completed 12 miles.
• On race day, you'll run 1.1 miles to complete the 13.1 distance of a half marathon (participants will need to be able to finish 1.1 miles in less than 30 minutes).

According to the American Heart Association, here are a few more facts about children and exercise.

• Children in the United States today are less fit than they were a generation ago. Many are showing early signs of cardiovascular risk factors such as physical inactivity, excess weight, higher blood cholesterol and cigarette smoking.
• Even though heart attack and stroke are rare in children, evidence shows that the process leading to those conditions begins in childhood.
• The National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES, 1999-2004) found that the prevalence of overweight American adolescents ages 12-19 was 17.9 percent for males and 16.0 percent for females. There was an increase of nearly 179 percent from 1971 to 2004.
• 37.2 percent of high school students spend three or more hours a day watching TV.
• Inactive children are more likely to become inactive adults.
• Healthy lifestyle training should start in childhood to promote improved cardiovascular health in adult life. The following good health practices should be promoted among children:
  • regular physical activity
  • a low-saturated-fat, low-cholesterol diet after age 2
  • smoking prevention
  • appropriate weight for height
  • regular pediatric medical checkups

Each participant will receive a custom cotton t-shirt, official finisher's medal (same as adult half marathon finishers), a custom race patch and the right to say you ran a half marathon!

Youth Half Marathon Course Map

Please click here to download the Youth Half Marathon Course Map.

Rules

• No refunds!
• Youth Half Marathon participants must be 14 and under on day of race.
• Rain or shine!
• No dogs allowed!

Schools

If you would like to get your school involved, please email us at info@palmettohalfmarathon.com.