Detroit Students Lace Up with New Shoes for the Inaugural Free Press Kids Marathon

In Detroit, a recent pilot program has provided 250 students from five Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) schools with an opportunity to enhance their physical activity through running, supplying them with new running shoes for the Detroit Free Press Kids Marathon. As detailed by CBS News Detroit, this initiative aims to promote healthy lifestyles and increase physical activity among students.

The selected students at schools including Mackenzie Elementary-Middle School received custom-designed running shoes as they prepare for the marathon. Eager to test their new footwear and excited "It's very exciting. Everybody loves new shoes don't get me wrong," Victoria Davis, a student of Mackenzie, said in a statement obtained by CBS News Detroit. While gearing up for the marathon, they've been logging about 25 miles at home and in gym classes. Inspired to run farther and faster, these students are the only ones from their school district participating in this year's marathon event.

According to the Detroit Free Press, this first-ever Kids Marathon is available to youth aged 6-13, who are required to complete the first 25.2 miles before the final event, with their progress tracked on a log sheet. The marathon's partnership with schools from DPSCD intends to introduce young people to running as a sport and maintain their active engagement.

More than 260 young participants are expected. Rosalyn Slade, a senior community relations specialist for Priority Health, one of the sponsors, shared her excitement with the Free Press about the positive impact on kids: "You see the smiles on their faces; you see them engaging in healthy lifestyles — or better yet healthy activities — and, you know, just having fun." On October 19, the students will complete their final mile along the Detroit Riverfront.

DPSCD anticipates doubling the number of participating students in the coming year, as per the district's President & CEO Kerrie Mitchell's hopes communicated via dpsfdn.org.