Children master mile during Marine Corps Marathon Kids Run

Photo By Cpl. Jose Lujano | More than 3,000 children participated in the Marine Corps Marathon Kids Run Oct. 25 at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Children ages 5-12 had the opportunity to get active and run a one-mile lap for fun around the five-sided building.  

ARLINGTON, VA, UNITED STATES

10.25.2014

Courtesy Story

Defense Media Activity - Marines

ARLINGTON, Va. - More than 3,000 children participated in the Marine Corps Marathon Kids Run Oct. 25 at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.

Children ages 5-12 had the opportunity to get active and run a one-mile lap for fun around the five-sided building. The event is held annually the day before the Marine Corps Marathon.

“We are promoting the mission of the United States Marine Corps, which is to encourage community good health, physical fitness and to showcase the organizational skills of the USMC,” said Kristina Jones, the sponsorship coordinator for the MCM Kids Run.

The event offered a host of activities and tons of free items given away as well as a few special guest including the marathon’s mascots, Miles and Molly and Cpl. Chesty XVI, the Marine Corps Mascot. All of the events were supported by Marine volunteers.

“One of the things we stress once the parents drop their children off is that they are in a 100 percent secure course and so you give your child to a Marine and you pick your child up from a Marine and Marines will actually be on course,” said Jones.

It is a great way to open up the marathon with the children, and just watching their enthusiasm and just having fun, according to Col. Robin A. Gallant, the Headquarter and Service Battalion commanding officer at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Viriginia.

“Especially nowadays when kids are just wanting to play with video games,” said Gallant. “It's good getting them out here seeing them physically engaged, interacting with other kids while having fun and getting in shape rather than just sitting behind these games and electronics.”

Marines lined the course giving out high fives and helping the children struggling to finish the course.

“The Marines [volunteering] are young Marines, so it is just awesome to watch them with the kids as they give them encouragement, because the children were doing exactly as these Marines live, ‘no pain, no gain,’” said Gallant. “ To beat difficulty by placing one foot in front of the other all the way to the end.”

Some children brought their drive to finish with them to the starting line.

“I just see my brother and he is good at cross country,” said Daniel Colucci, the 9-year-old 1st place finisher in the first wave. “Maybe one day I can catch up to him, but today the Marines pushed me to run faster.”

All children should do some type of exercise, whether it is running or playing any other sport and plans to continue this lifestyle as he gets older, Colucci added.

Marines were able to have an impact on the children, whether short term or long term, but on this day these boys and girls ran, walked and rolled with smiles and enthusiasm to the end.

“I have to tell you this is one of the most motivating things you can do in the Marine Corps and it is something we are showing the public,” said Gallant. “Not only are we the best fighting force in the world, we are here for the people, and sometimes have some fun while we are doing it."

• Date Taken: 10.25.2014
• Date Posted: 10.28.2014 16:01
• Story ID: 146345
• Location: ARLINGTON, VA, US