Beyond Monumental, the 501(c)3 non-profit responsible for the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, will once again partner with Athletic Annex and New Balance to donate running shoes to students in need. By purchasing a pair of New Balance running shoes at either Athletic Annex location or at athleticannex.com, customers can now opt to “buy a pair, give a pair” to a student participating in Beyond Monumental’s youth running program, Monumental Kids Movement. The first year of the program saw over 1,000 pairs of shoes donated.
Monumental Kids Movement is a seven-to-nine-week, bi-weekly youth running program that focuses on educating Indianapolis Youth about the benefits of exercise, proper diet and healthy living. Students with at least 75% participation throughout this bi-weekly program earn a free 5K race entry to a Monumental event. Since its inception as a pilot program in 2012, the program has grown to over 60 schools. To date, over 7,500 students have graduated from the program including 1,719 in 2018.
The donation program will run from May through December 2019, aiming to outfit as many of the Monumental Kids as possible with shoes. To participate, use code MKM2019 online at www.athleticannex.com or mention to a sales associate at either Athletic Annex location. Students will receive the shoes while participating in the running program and training for the 5K events.
“Monumental Kids Movement is a great way to get kids moving and motivated about health and wellness, but we’ve recognized a need for many of our participating students,” said Jed Cornforth, executive director of Beyond Monumental, “We aim to provide our Monumental Kids with the skills and information they need for lifelong wellness. Along with athletic instruction and nutrition tips, a pair of proper fitting running shoes will make a great impact toward completing that goal.”
Athletic Annex is a running specialty store locally owned by Olympian Bob Kennedy located in Nora. Athletic Annex has a mission to help empower and inspire the community to live happy and healthy lives, one person, one day, one step at a time.
“Athletic Annex is excited to be a part of the Monumental Kids Movement again this year. We hope to build on the momentum from last year’s excitement. This is an incredible wellness program that teaches kids, if they show up and put the work in that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to,” said Kennedy, “I believe running has this transformative power and that’s why everyone at Athletic Annex is so excited to be a part of this wonderful program again.”
For more information on Monumental Kids Movement or to donate, visit beyondmonumental.org/monumental-kids-movement.
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About Beyond Monumental
Beyond Monumental provides the Indianapolis community with a complement of activities built around their premiere event that promotes healthy living & fitness for all ages. Beyond Monumental gives back to the Indianapolis community by supporting youth programming that reinforces healthy lifestyles for young people, with an emphasis on working with urban students and Indianapolis Public Schools, donating more than $1,000,000 in 10 years. The CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon is a top 20 marathon in the US and is nationally recognized by Runners’ World as one of “Ten Great Marathons for First Timers”. The 12th annual running is scheduled for Nov. 9, 2019. www.beyondmonumental.org