What is a marathon?
A marathon is a 26.2 mile race in honor of the Greek runner-messenger named Pheidippides 
who ran from the Plain of Marathon on the east coast of Greece to Athens to announce the 
victory of the Greeks in the First Persian War (490 BC).

What is a half-marathon?
A half-marathon is a 13.1 mile race, one-half of the 26.2 mile marathon distance.

What is a Kids' Marathon?
A Kids' Marathon is a 26.2 mile race completed over a 10 week period beginning Saturday,
April 18, 2009. Kids walk/jog/run 1 mile a day, three to four days a week, for a total of 25 miles.
The last 1.2 miles are to be run as a group on Tuesday, June 9, 2009. This is a noncompetitive event
with no timing or awards for the fastest participants. Extra weeks have been built in to take into
account bad weather or sickness.

What is a Kids' Half-Marathon?
A Kids' Marathon is a 13.1 mile race completed over a 10 week period beginning Saturday,
April 18, 2009. Kids walk/jog/run 1/2 mile a day, three or four days a week, for a total of 12.5 miles.
The last 0.6 miles are to be run as a group on Tuesday, June 9, 2009. This is a noncompetitive event
with no timing or awards for the fastest participants. Extra weeks have been built in to take into
account bad weather or sickness.

Why participate in a Kids' Marathon / Half-Marathon?
1. Walking/jogging/running makes you physically fit.
2. You can walk/jog/run anytime and anywhere.
3. You don't need any special equipment.
4. You can workout at your own pace.
5. It doesn't matter how fit you are, you can finish a kids' marathon/half-marathon.
6. It's a great way to have fun.
7. Every participant is a winner.

Who is eligible to participate?
Any middle-school or high-school student (grades 6-12) in the First Baptist Church (Clarksville) 
Home School Group may participate in the Kids' Marathon.
Any elementary-school student (grades K-5) in the First Baptist Church (Clarksville) Home 
School Group may participate in the Kids' Half-Marathon.

How to participate in the 2009 Clarksville Kids' Marathon / Half-Marathon?
1. Print, complete, and mail the Registration Form / Waiver.
2. Print and complete the Mileage Log.
    The Mileage Log must be turned in Tuesday, June 9, 2009 to receive a race bib number.
    Walking/jogging/running begins Saturday, April 18, 2009.
3. Come to FBC Activities Bldg on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 to complete your last 1.2 / 0.6 miles.
     This will be after the end of VBS.

Entry Fee
$20 entry fee (check only, no cash). Make check payable to Fred J. Matthews.
Entry fee, with completed Registration Form / Waiver, must be received by May 8, 2009.
Entry fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

Confirmation
An email confirmation will be sent to eligible participants once payment has been processed.
Confirmation will not be mailed.

What do participants/finishers receive?
1. All participants receive a Clarksville Kids' Marathon/Half-Marathon t-shirt. 
    Weather permitting, please wear this t-shirt on June 9 for the final 1.2 / 0.6 mile completion.
2. All participants who have completed their 25.0/12.5 miles must turn in their completed 
    Mileage Log on June 9 to receive a race bib number.
3. All finishers receive a Clarksville Kids' Marathon/Half-Marathon finisher's trophy and 
    a finisher's certificate.

Mileage Log Completion.
Participants may complete their 1.0 / 0.5 mile segments at home, at a gym, or at a park, 
but a parent/adult supervisor must confirm each segment by signing the form. Participants 
should not complete more than 1.0 / 0.5 mile per day. Just as those who train for a full 
marathon/half-marathon realize the importance of rest days and pacing, so should those 
participants in the Kids' Marathon/Half-Marathon. The 9 week training period allows 
participants at least 3 rest days per week; use these in any order you like, but use them!
Everyone is encouraged to take Sunday, June 8th off, before the final 1.2 / 0.6 mile
segment on Tuesday, June 9th. It is not important that you run each segment, in fact,
that is discouraged, at least when starting your mileage. Most people can walk a mile in
15-30 minutes / one-half of a mile in 10-25 minutes. If you prefer to run some, that is okay,
but mix in some walking and running until you are comfortable running an entire segment.
But whether you walk/jog/run, if you can't carry on a conversation with a companion while
walking/jogging/running, you are probably going to fast! Remember, this is a
noncompetitive event; it is not who is the fastest, but as in a full marathon/half-marathon,
who can finish mile after mile after mile in the long run.

Suggestions for safely completing your Kids' Marathon/Half-Marathon.
1. Find a safe place to exercise. Sidewalks are safer than the street, but (if running) concrete 
    is harder on joints than asphalt. If you train on the road, always go facing traffic on the far left 
    portion of the road.
2. Do not train alone or after dark. Train with an adult or a friend in a safe area.
    This is especially important for younger children and females of all ages.
3. Wear running shoes or athletic shoes with socks.
4. Use sun screen protection (SPF 30+), especially on sunny days. 
    Avoid training on sunny days between 10am and 3pm.
5. Drink lots of water throughout the day. Water helps muscles do their work.
    Fill a half-gallon (64 oz) jug with water each day and try drinking it dry by the same time the 
    next day. Younger children may not need this much water. Check with your child's physician.
6. Get plenty of sleep. Your muscles need rest to recuperate from exercise.
    Most people need 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night to be completely rested.
7. Eat a well balanced, healthy diet. Your body needs fuel to exercise efficiently.
    Do not try fad diets while exercising; your body needs food as fuel.
8. If you get shin splints (pain in front portion of lower legs) or side stitches while running, 
    you are running too fast, too far, too soon. 
    i.   Slow down!
    ii.  Build up to running slowly! 
    iii. Try a mix of walking and jogging/running (e.g. walk 5 minutes, jog/run 1 minute, repeat)!

Final 1.2 Mile Finish Photos
Photos of the final 1.2 / 0.6 mile finish may be available online for downloading and printing. 
See this website for further instructions if available.