A nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting active and healthy lifestyles among children has recognized Midland Independent School District (ISD) as a steward in its mission, according to a social media post on X.
"MISD is one of the top districts in the nation for Marathon Kids. This exercise program counts how far students run throughout the year. Fasken, Pease, and Rusk Elementary (pictured) all finished among the top ten schools in the nation with the most miles completed," said ISD, Midland ISD.
According to the Marathon Kids website, studies have concluded that when children participate in their program, they are more likely to achieve the 60 minutes of daily physical activity recommended for maintaining health. The program positively impacts both their physical and mental well-being. All children are eligible to participate in the program.
Midland ISD tweet.
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The Marathon Kids website states that activities are built on six evidence-based pillars for long-term healthy behavior adoption: goal setting, tracking, modeling the way, social support, celebrating, and rewarding. It is estimated that only one in four children achieve the daily physical activity needed to stay healthy. To support its six pillars, Marathon Kids added the goal of completing four marathons in a season to their program.
The organization was established in Austin, Texas in 1995. From 2002 to 2009, it focused on expanding to seven "marquee cities," and in 2020 they launched a scanning app that allows coaches to analyze data related to a child's physical activity. Parents or school faculty interested in getting involved in the program can do so through the organization's website.