To make your BIG DREAMS come true, you need to BE FIT—physically, mentally, and emotionally. This group of youth runners challenged themselves to run 26.2 miles, read 26 books, and do 26 acts of kindness over the last 13 weeks by completing the Boston Marathon Dream Big Challenge.
Twice a week before school, these third through sixth graders started in the classroom with a social emotional lesson and a read aloud book. Each book had a theme which fostered the day’s simple act of kindness within our school community. Once it was time to get our bodies moving, we moved to the track next door and ran a mile. Along the way, students ran barefoot, ran with the La Canada fire department, ran in teams of 2, ran backwards, and ran in honor of a loved one. The kids wrote notes and letters to kids and adults on campus, played a game of “YOU MATTER” tag, tied a friend’s shoe, shared a snack, and gave a ton of high fives along the way! These young runners got to hear from special people along the way, a Boston Marathon bombing survivor, an ultra 100 mile runner, a children’s author, a number of Boston marathon finishers, and Dave McGillivary himself; the founder of the program.
The goal of the Dream Big Marathon Club is to inspire and empower youth to increase physical activity, expand literacy, and build community and self-esteem through running, reading, and performing acts of kindness. New friendships were formed through teamwork, hard work, and continuing to “show up”. The students’ endurance and stamina increased with each mile and as result they each earned their first “marathon” medal this week. Mission Complete!
For more information, check out The Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation. McGillivray’s passion for health, fitness, and giving back to the community has been the driving vision for his company today. https://www.dmsesports.com/dmfs-foundation