Photo: Christine Cater/Canada Running Series.
On Oct. 21, 2018, upwards of 1,000 Greater Toronto Area youth will share the same course as the world’s fastest runners, as well as the tens of thousands of other participants.
The pre-teens will do so as part of the Scotiabank Marathon Jr. Program, which is designed to introduce young people to the excitement that comes with participating in races. The program began a little more than a decade ago and then had participation of approximately 500 kids, before expanding in size. The program, which schools register for, is now capped at 1,000 runners, and has been for the past five years.
In the lead-up to the race, Scotiabank Marathon Jr. runners cover 37K in the weeks and months before Oct. 21, and complete the final 5K of a marathon by completing the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront 5K, for a total of 42K, the distance (rounded) of a marathon. Throughout the course of the program, each participant is given a tracker (with 42 boxes to check off) so they can keep a tab on their progress. As a replacement to running kilometres, the program also allows mileage to be counted through daily physical activity, which ensures “that elementary students have a minimum of 20 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each school day.”
Photo: Christine Cater/Canada Running Series.
Approximately 15 schools in the Toronto area including those in the inner-city participate in the program, mostly Grades 5-8 although some kids are as young as Grades 2-3. “Young people can take part once their school registers for the program,” Scotiabank says. Many of the youth’s parents and teachers participate in the run too.
Scotiabank sponsors the program. “We could not have this program without Scotiabank’s support,” Bonnie Taylor of Canada Running Series says. “The program doesn’t cost the school anything and all the costs associated with travel and race-day amenities are covered.”
Photo: Christine Cater/Canada Running Series.
New last year, and continuing in 2018, is an off-shoot of the program that involves even more of the city’s youth than those in the Scotiabank Marathon Jr. Program. CRS partners with local community centres and other schools to encourage an additional 250 young people to be physically active which includes a short run to a nearby cheer station for the marathon. Market Lane Public School in the Esplanade/St. Lawrence Market area is one of the schools to participate in the final stages of the marathon.
The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon too hosts a torch relay for the marathon. On the day of the torch relay, which takes place on the Thursday evening leading into the marathon, half-marathon and 5K, a notable runner visits a local school. In 2017, Lanni Marchant, the Canadian women’s record holder in the marathon, visited Jackman Avenue Junior Public School and spoke to more than 250 kids. This year, a similar initiative will take place at Fenside Public School in North York.
“We believe this is an investment in the long-term security, stability and growth of our communities,” Scotiabank says. “The Scotiabank Marathon Jr. Program encourages young people to set a goal and get involved through physical fitness. Young people are our future leaders and Scotiabank’s goal is to help ensure that they have the necessary skills and resources they need to support their success.”
Photo: Christine Cater/Canada Running Series.
On race day, children are transported to race site, complete the 5k, receive a special-edition Scotiabank Marathon Jr. Program race medal and stick around in the Scotiabank Marathon Jr. Program area to cheer on runners at the finish line. “Physical fitness is an important part for people of all ages. By introducing young people to the Scotiabank Marathon Jr. Program at a young age, we hope it will encourage them to continue participating in races as they get older,” Scotiabank says.
Photo: Christine Cater/Canada Running Series.
