Register for the annual Marine Corps Marathon Healthy Kids Fun Run, to be held on Saturday, October 28, 2006 at 8 a.m. in front of the DC Armory and MCM Heath and Fitness Expo. The race field for the one-mile run is open to children between the ages of 6-13. Pre-registration, including the $7 entry fee, is required by October 19. Participants will receive a t-shirt, a new finisher’s medal and snacks at the finish line. The new Healthy Kids Fun Run one-mile loop course begins and ends in front of the DC Armory. The Healthy Kids Fun Run is presented by The Washington Post and sponsored by Sodexho, FAMILY Magazine, Big Dogs, The Washington Post, VSP.com, ABC 7 WJLA, McDonald’s, Lincoln Property Company, and Navy Federal Credit Union.

Kids Run participants may obtain their t-shirt and bib at the MCM Health and Fitness Expo presented by Caremark at the DC Armory on Friday, October 27 or on race morning beginning at 6 a.m.   

Please note:  Families are encouraged to avoid long lines and receive a free MCM bobblehead doll by attending the Expo on Friday, October 27 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

As part of the event’s on-going goodwill, parents and children are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate at the United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots booth.

Here’s a schedule of events for all the race day fun! Take Metro’s blue or orange lines to the Stadium-Armory station.

7:00 a.m.  Packet Pick-up opens for Kids Run
7:45 a.m.  Pre-Run Opening Ceremonies and Warm Ups
8:20 a.m.  Red Wave Start (12-13 year olds)
8:35 a.m.  White Wave Start (10-11 year olds)
8:50 a.m.  Blue Wave Start (8-9 year olds)
9:10 a.m.  Gold Wave Start (6-7 year olds)

Participants in the Healthy Kids Fun Run will be treated to healthy snacks, packed in a Sodexho Fun on the Run custom bag. Inside, kids will find a Crustables peanut butter and jelly sandwich from Smuckers (a grilled cheese alternate is also available), Frito Lay Sun Chips, Kraft Capri All Natural Fruit Juice, a petite banana, a Nature Valley Granola Bar and a nutrition brochure. Participants will also be treated to snacks from McDonalds and Waddajuice.            

With replenishment in hand, children and their families will visit the tent adjacent to the finish area called ‘Camp Miles’.  The post-race activity area features:

• Interactive challenges and games focusing on health and fitness hosted by the National Children’s Museum
• ABC 7/ WJLA weather truck
• Big Dogs temporary tattoo booth
• Vision drills hosted VSP for children to get focused on healthy vision
• Fun with Family Magazine
• Plus, music, mascots and more!

After visiting Camp Miles post race, families will want to check out the kid-friendly entertainment live on the Camp Miles Stage:

9:00 a.m.  Musical group Singular Sensations
9:30 a.m.  Ronald McDonald Show
10:00 a.m. VSP Magician

Now is the time to get your child’s school involved by motivating other parents, the PE teachers, the principal and the PTA to register children for the MCM Healthy Kids Fun Run and listing your school the appropriate registration field.  The school with the most participants will win the Healthy School award and a financial donation to its physical education department from Washington FAMILY magazine.  The award and donation will be given to the school in a presentation by the MCM staff and special guests.  Parents, students and faculty are encouraged to promote participation and the importance of physical fitness at home and in the classroom. For more information and ideas, click here.

Miles challenged his friends to their own fun run, prior to the start of the Healthy Kids Fun Run. Check out the competitors:

Ronald McDonald McDonalds	Lift-Off Sodexho USA	Ned the Newshound Washington Post

Sammy Navy Federal	Jack the Bulldog Georgetown University	George George Washington University