COPPERAS COVE, Texas — Students at Taylor Creek Elementary School in Copperas Cove are learning they can achieve more than they believed was possible by simply running every day.
Marathon Kids is a non-profit organization that promotes physical activity in kids. Taylor Creek Elementary adopted the program three years ago and this year they are reaching nearly 100,000 miles.
Students show up every morning to school full of energy and they run with their classmates before classes begin. Students run or walk at least 10 minutes as part of their daily schedule. Every year, they run or walk the equivalent of four marathons, which is 104.8 miles.
Kyle Black, a P.E. teacher at Taylor Creek and the coach of the running club said students seem to enjoy it. He said he has noticed they are smiling more, have made more friends, and have overall gained confidence.
Third-grader Angelina Davis said she feels great when she runs.
"When I run with my friends I feel like I'm more happy." Davis said.
Second-grader Thomas Johnson said he also enjoys to run with his friends. He said it's one of the best parts of his day.
"It makes me get a lot of energy," Johnson said.
Second-grader Summer Silva said she also enjoys to run. She said she knows not all schools have this program, but she's glad her school does.
"I mostly have fun and I run as much as I can while having fun," Silva said.
Black said the goal isn't to make kids runners because it's not a competition. He said they want kids to go at their own pace and that it's really about what each student can achieve.
Every time a student completes a marathon or 26.2 miles, they get a different reward sponsored by Nike. After they complete four marathons or 104.8 miles, they have a ceremony for those students at school.
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