Monumental for Our Kids

In 2025, the Apex Benefits Monumental Kids Movement presented by Indiana University Indianapolis continued building on its momentum, delivering another high-energy, student-first program - with the added excitement of Beyond Monumental's official mascot, Torchy, cheering on participants throughout race day.

That year, 2,001 students from 59 schools across six districts - Indianapolis Public Schools, MSD of Decatur, MSD of Lawrence, Perry Township, MSD of Pike, and MSD of Washington Township - participated in the program and celebrated at either the Apex Benefits Monumental Kids 5K at Lucas Oil Stadium or the Indy Half Marathon at Fort Ben in the city of Lawrence.

With families lining the course and community partners activating throughout the event, 2025 further strengthened the vibrant, community-centered tradition of MKM!

In 2024, the program entered a new era of celebration and visibility. With the continued support of title sponsor Apex Benefits and the addition of presenting sponsor Indiana University Indianapolis, the downtown 5K finish line moved onto the field inside of Lucas Oil Stadium for the first time - giving students a true big-stage moment. Health and wellness vendors, community partners, and a sponsor-hosted 40-yard dash added to the high-energy atmosphere, creating an unforgettable, student-first experience.

That year, 1,773 students from 57 schools across six local districts - Indianapolis Public Schools, MSD of Decatur Township, MSD of Lawrence, Perry Township Schools, MSD of Pike, MSD of Washington Township - participated in the Apex Benefits Monumental Kids Movement presented by Indiana University Indianapolis.

Students crossed the 5K finish line to celebrate their achievements at either the Indy Half Marathon at Fort Ben 5K or the Apex Benefits Monumental Kids 5K downtown - ensuring meaningful, community-based celebrations across Marion County.

In 2023, the Apex Benefits Monumental Kids Movement continued its strong impact across Indianapolis, engaging 1,757 students from 57 schools in five districts - Indianapolis Public Schools, MSD of Lawrence, Perry Township Schools, MSD of Pike, and MSD of Washington Township.

Students trained for and completed a dedicated downtown Indianapolis 5K course, culminating at Lucas Oil Stadium and creating a truly student-first race experience. In addition, Lawrence Township students celebrated their culmination event at the 5K during the Indy Half Marathon at Fort Ben - celebrating participants at a monumental event within their own community.

Together, these experiences delivered a high-energy celebration supported by health and wellness vendors, community partners, families, motivators, and volunteers.

In 2022, the Apex Benefits Monumental Kids Movement reached a defining milestone by hosting its first standalone Apex Benefits Monumental Kids 5K at Lucas Oil Stadium - a student-centered 5K experience created exclusively for MKM participants. For the first time, students trained for and completed a dedicated downtown Indianapolis course designed just for them, transforming the event into a true celebration of youth achievement.

That year, 1,653 students from 53 schools across four Marion County districts — Indianapolis Public Schools, MSD of Lawrence, Perry Township Schools, and MSD of Pike — participated in the program. While most celebrated at Lucas Oil Stadium, Lawrence Township students marked their culmination at the Indy Half Marathon at Fort Ben, ensuring participants could race and be recognized at an event in their own neighborhood.

Families, motivators, and volunteers joined the celebration, enjoying an expanded race-day atmosphere featuring health and wellness vendors and community partners.

In 2021, a new chapter began as Apex Benefits joined as title sponsor, officially introducing the Apex Benefits Monumental Kids Movement (MKM) and reinforcing our shared commitment to youth health and wellness. That year, 884 students from 33 schools across three Marion County districts returned to in-person participation.

Students celebrated their progress in multiple ways - with more than 300 crossing a 5K finish line at the Indy Half Marathon at Fort Ben and more than 550 completing school- and district-hosted races- signaling a strong and resilient return for MKM.

In 2020, the Monumental Kids Movement was retooled to fit schools’ needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Beyond Monumental Team created training videos to pair with the program curriculum that was provided to 13,000 K-8 students enrolled in Indianapolis Public Schools.

In 2019, the Monumental Kids Movement reached one of its largest years to date, engaging more than 2,500 students from 57 schools across 3+ Marion County districts, supported by 425 dedicated volunteers.

Of those participants, 1,571 students crossed a 5K finish line at either the Indy Half Marathon at Fort Ben or the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental 5K - celebrating their hard work and commitment throughout the fall and continuing the program’s strong upward momentum.

In 2018, the Monumental Kids Movement continued its expansion across Marion County, welcoming MSD of Pike Township to the program for the first time. That year, 1,719 students and 437 volunteers representing 58 programs trained for and completed a celebratory 5K at either the Indy Half Marathon at Fort Ben or the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental 5K.

Participating programs included 40 schools in Center Township, 13 is MSD Lawrence Township, two in MSD Pike Township, two in MSD Washington Township, and one in MSD Wayne Township, reflecting the program's growing footprint and community impact!

In 2017, the Monumental Kids Movement had another record-setting year with 1,739 students and 422 volunteers from 61 programs participating in a celebratory 5K experience. Students crossed the finish line at either the Indy Half Marathon at Fort Ben presented by Wild Eggs or the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental 5K presented by Chipotle.

Participating programs included 45 schools in Center Township, 12 schools in MSD Lawrence Township, two schools in MSD Wayne Township, and two schools in MSD of Washington Township, reflecting the program's growing reach across Marion County.

In 2016, the Monumental Kids Movement reached a new milestone with a record 1,337 students graduating from the program and participating in a celebratory 5K at either Indy Half Marathon at Fort Ben or the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental 5K. The year marked a significant step forward in both participation and visibility for young runners across the city.

For the first time, the program served students across Marion County; engaging 37 schools in Center Township, 15 in MSD Lawrence Township, and two in MSD Wayne Township!

In 2015, the Monumental Kids Movement participation reached a new milestone with more than 1,000 students across record-setting 35 programs. In its fourth year, it also had an all-time high of 962 graduates who completed the full 6-to-8 week school-based program.

In 2014, the Monumental Kids Movement increase graduates by 15%. In just three years, the IMM youth running program has grown from a pilot program at IPS Super School 19 to 31 participating schools. The inaugural program culminated with 150 students running the Monumental 5k.

Along with the successful growth in participation, the Monumental Kids Movement saw improvement in the students' aerobic capacity. The Fitnessgram PACER Test, a multi-stage running capacity test, was conducted on the students at the beginning and end of the program. A comparison of the results shows a 12% increase of students in the Healthy Fitness Zone.

The Monumental Kids Movement also wants kids to establish healthy eating habits. A survey was conducted of over 680 students at the start and finish of the program. The results showed increased consumption of fruits and vegetables and a decrease in consumption of soda.

On March 17, 2014, Monumental Kids Movement students gave their medals to patients at Riley Children's Hospital as part of the Medals4Mettle program.

In 2013, the Pre and Post Pacer Test for the Monumental Kids Movement saw an 8.7% increase in Pacer Test scores for over 1,100 fourth - eighth grade students. Educational initiatives were also a success, as the Pre and Post eating survey showed positive behavioral results: students reporting having consumed any "salad or green vegetable" the previous day increased from 57% to 75%, and students reporting eating fruit the previous day increased from 54% to 92%. Likewise, students indicating that they had consumed at least one dairy product the previous day increased from 76% to 84%.