Pierce Students Look to Finish a 'Marathon' As Part of New Running Club

The students and families at Pierce Elementary will have the chance to learn about fitness this spring as part of the elementary school's new running club.

Pierce created the running club for the students who want to participate in the "kids marathon" at the Martian Invasion of Races this April 13 at Ford Park in Dearborn. 

The Martian Invasion of Races, sponsored by the Michigan running store Running Fit, involves a marathon, half-marathon and a "marathon" for kids. By the end of the day, each young participant will have logged 25 miles — but they're not running those miles all at once.

That's where the running club fits in. Led by Pierce gym teacher Aaron Chalker, students will learn about running skills and log their miles over the weeks until the Martian marathon. On the day of the race, students will wrap up their miles by running 1.2 miles.

"The goal of the marathon program is to teach long-term goal planning and encourage children to get off their seats and move," an email sent home to Pierce parents reads. "Last year, 1,500 kids participated in the final event and over 30 southeastern Michigan schools participated in the training program."

The running club is open to any Pierce student and will meet at the Pierce gym before school every Monday until the race from 8:15-8:45 a.m. The club first met Monday though students are still welcome to join.

Any child younger than 9 will need to have a parent present during the Monday practices, though parents are invited to attend either to support their child or run with them.

"Children below the age of 9 do not typically have cardio-vascular system development enough for long-distance endurance running, so please keep that in mind when siging your child up."