Sports Backers, Whole Foods Market Announce Partnership for Whole Foods Marathon Jr.
RICHMOND, VA – Sports Backers today announced a new partnership with Whole Foods Market, making the grocery retailer the new title sponsor of the Whole Foods Marathon Jr. The kids-only running event, a past winner of Running USA’s ‘Youth Running Event of the Year,’ is set for October 28 at Byrd Park and offers two different distance options: a 0.5 mile course for children ages four to seven, and a one-mile course for children 12 and under. Registration is now open for the event at www.sportsbackers.org.
“Whole Foods Market is excited to sponsor Richmond’s Whole Foods Marathon Jr. as part of our mission to support healthy choices for kids and families.” said Christina Connelly, a leader at the Whole Foods Market Short Pump store. “During our almost 10 years as part of the Richmond community, we have worked with local groups such as Kids Run RVA to focus on health and wellness year-round and are grateful for the opportunity to expand upon that by supporting this running event for kids leading up to the Anthem Richmond Marathon weekend. Featuring food, games and music, the Whole Foods Marathon Jr. and festival will be a great time for the entire family – and show kids that exercise is fun!”
All participating children will receive a special Whole Foods Marathon Jr. T-shirt, a finisher medal, post-race food, and entry to the race festival which features, games, music, local mascots, and other exciting activities for participants and families. The 0.5-mile distance will begin at 12:00pm, and the 1-miler at 12:15pm. Although it will be held two weeks prior, the Whole Foods Marathon Jr. is part of the Anthem Richmond Marathon weekend, which includes the full marathon, the Markel Richmond Half Marathon, and the VCU Health 8k.
Kids Run RVA will serve as the official event charity of the Whole Foods Marathon Jr. Kids Run RVA is an initiative of Sports Backers that reaches thousands of young people across the Richmond region and has run clubs in nearly 70 schools and neighborhoods, including many underserved communities. Kids Run RVA gives youth the chance to have fun while being physically active in their own communities and gets thousands of kids moving throughout the Richmond area on a daily basis, with the goal of establishing healthy habits early in life that are critical to the long-term physical, emotional, and social development of all children.
Kids Run RVA works to break down barriers and provide all kids the opportunity to participate in daily physical activity by providing athletic shoes for kids in need, as well as covering the race registration fees and transportation costs for events such as the Whole Foods Marathon Jr.
Marathon Training Team Price Increase Set for May 20
The Sports Backers Marathon Training Team kicks off on Saturday, June 3, and Sunday, June 4, with a price increase set for May 20. The team is celebrating its 16th year of successfully preparing participants to meet their marathon goals, and the 23-week program has trained over 15,000 people for the Richmond Marathon since its inception in 2002.
The current Marathon Training Team registration fee is $165, rising to $180 after May 20. Registration includes a free entry in the Anthem Richmond Marathon, along with a Marathon Training Team shirt, a race shirt, a guide book, clinics, and organized weekly runs with experienced coaches. Runners have the option to participate in group runs on either Saturday or Sunday mornings from Sports Backers Stadium located next to The Diamond.
The 40th anniversary of the Anthem Richmond Marathon will take place on Saturday, November 11. It is preceded by the VCU Health 8k and the Markel Richmond Half Marathon. Online registration for all three events is available at www.richmondmarathon.org.
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