Dear [Recipient's Name]:

I'm looking forward to participating in this year's [walk event], which is a major fundraiser for [name of organisation]. As you are probably aware, [name or organisation] provides important services to individuals in our community whose lives are affected by [illness or issue].

I'm happy to do my part to support [name of organisation]'s efforts, which is why I'm so thrilled to be walking in this event. I'm writing to ask for your support as a sponsor for your participation in this event. Won't you consider making a donation to [organisation] as a sponsor of my participation? Together, you and I can make this the most successful [walk event] ever!

Simply call or email me to let me know what amount you'll be able to pledge, or return the enclosed pledge card at your convenience. You may also make a donation online or return a check along with your pledge card. [Name or organisation] depends on the generosity of individuals like you to fund its work in our community. Thank you in advance for your consideration and support.

Sincerely,

[Name]

[Walk Event] Participant

Running a marathon seems to be an impossible task for most adults, let alone a kid! We recently caught up with Kay Morris to find out more about an innovative program called Marathon Kids. We think you'll enjoy her passion for healthy kids as much as we do! OWG: How did you come to work with Marathon Kids and what's your role? Kay: I am the Founder and Executive Director of the organization, which is fifteen years old. We offer a free six month running/walking, nutrition and schoolyard gardening program for 215,000 registered children. I started Marathon Kids as a grassroots initiative in the summer of 1996. Now, with our board, I oversee our national headquarters and program in eight cities: Austin, Dallas, Houston, El Paso, Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles and the Navajo Nation. Frankly, I'm an accidental social entrepreneur! I was simply a slow, middleaged runner who was lucky enough to get expert help from local physical educators, community runners, and a local running store sponsor. Marathon Kids was and continues to be a confluence of good people coming together to restore joyfulness and vitality to elementary aged children who were on the path to sedentary

lifestyles. OWG: So the goal of Marathon Kids is to challenge kids to run 26.2 miles over a period of time. How do you implement the program? Kay: We collaborate with pubic schools, private schools and home school networks. The leaders and parents receive the Marathon Kids Packet from us and we communicate with and work closely with Marathon Kids leaders and children over a six month period. OWG: What are some of the positive changes that you've seen in kids who are involved in the program? Kay: We're an evidence-based program. That means there's been a two-year study of Marathon Kids by scientist at the University of Texas School of Public Health. The most significant improvements in children are: they develop the habit of more daily minutes for exercise, a significant uptick and shift in their positive athletic self perception and also a significant uptick in their choices to eat healthy foods. OWG: One of the great challenges we face is getting the message from the school or club into the home. How does your program facilitate that? Kay: Because our teachers, administrators and volunteers respect the program we provide to their schools, they are a reliable provider of timely information to the parents and children. It is important that the leaders of the school desire to implement a long-term program rather than being mired in a glut of temporary initiatives.

Get your running shoes on kids and get training so you can take part in the Earthcare Environmental Kids Marathon run in conjunction with the SBS Bank Hamilton Half Marathon on Sunday 2 October 2011! The event offers a unique opportunity for kids between 5 - 18 years old to enjoy the achievable challenge of taking part in the Earthcare Environmental Kids Marathon .. one kilometre at a time! The aim is to run the first 40km of a full marathon distance in the two months leading up to the Earthcare Environmental Half Marathon, for example running one kilometer almost every day, then on event day complete the final 2.195km on the actual half marathon course. On the day, those children taking part in the Earthcare Environmental Kids Marathon will run the final 2.195km of the actual marathon course - crossing the real finish line and feeling the success of achieving something very special! Kids who enter will on race day receive a race pack that includes a t-shirt and on crossing the finish line (and have logged their 40km before hand) a special medal. Achievement certificates will be available for downloading online. Children of all ages are invited to start their training programmes this August/September and start logging their kilometres. This is the third year we have organised the Kids Marathon. The kids who have taken part really enjoyed the exercise programme in the build up to race day, and their sense of achievement at the conclusion was incredible. Because Earthcare Environmental feel that health of the environment goes hand in hand with health of children, they wanted to support children to get fit to help keep them healthy. Lyn Harris, Race Director

What Is Marathon?
In ancient Greece, Phidippedes ran from the plains of Marathon to Athens to report about the Persian War. That is where the marathon got its name. Thousands of years later, people still run, but now they do it for fun. About half a million people run marathons every year! People who run marathons train a lot. Your body must be in good shape to run a marathon. A marathon is 42.195km. The Kids Marathon will get you on your way to being physically fit.

Training Schedule
Below is a training schedule for suggested distances. If you can only run a little, keep trying. If you can run more than a kilometre a day, great! If you play a lot of sport where you run a lot, this may be easy. Just remember to space your workouts so you are prepared to run the final distance on marathon day. Early completion of the program is not recommended. The schedule leaves Saturdays and Sundays available for catch up days or to give you a rest day. It is important to

keep track of your progress toward your goal. As you complete each kilometre colour or mark it off on your Kilometre Countdown Chart. Mon 8 - Fri 12 Aug 1km/day 5km total Mon 15 - Fri 19 Aug 1km/day 5km total Mon 22 - Fri 26 Aug 1km/day 5km total Mon 29 - Fri 2 Sept 1km/day 5km total Mon 5 - Fri 9 Sept 1km/day 5km total Mon 12 - Fri 16 Sept 1km/day 5km total Mon 19 - Fri 23 Sept 1km/day 5km total Mon 26 - Fri 29 Sept 1km/day 5km total This is only a recommended schedule and you may choose to start your 'marathon' earlier or later than the dates above ... but don't try to do too much too close to marathon day!

Important Information About Marathon Day

Entries close 12 September 2011 Where: Start/Finish at Flagstaff Park Commodore Ave Hamilton. Start time 11.30am Distance: 2.195kms Course: 2 laps in Flagstaff Park Eligibility: All school age children are encouraged to participate. The maximum age is 18. Entry:$30.00 entry fee includes free T Shirt which we ask you to wear on race day. Enter Online: Enter online at www.hamiltonhalfmarathon.org.nz Training Guide: If you have entered manually on receipt of your entry we will post you a training guide if you require one. For those entering online you will be able to download a training guide. Acknowledgement of entries: After we receive your completed entry form, we will forward you a confirmation of your entry. Online entries will receive an e-confirmation. You must bring this confirmation with you on race day to pick up your race number and pack. Confirmation for manual entries will be posted out with race instructions a week before event date. Race Pack Collection: Available for collection from the Flagstaff Club Friday 30 September from 5 to 7pm, Saturday 1st October from 12 noon to 5pm and Sunday 2nd October from 7am. Your race pack will include a T Shirt and race number which must be worn on race day.

Rewards: All finishers will receive a medal and a finisher's certificate. All participants must complete their race on race day to receive their medal. Make up distances and/or alternate race dates are not recognised.