Apex Benefits Monumental Kids Movement
Monumental for Our Kids
THE APEX BENEFITS MONUMENTAL KIDS MOVEMENT IS A SEVEN-TO-NINE-WEEK YOUTH RUNNING PROGRAM THAT CULMINATES WITH STUDENTS RUNNING A 5K. THE BI-WEEKLY PROGRAM FOCUSES ON ENGAGING AND EDUCATING YOUTH ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL FITNESS AND HEALTHY LIVING.
We are excited to partner with Apex Benefits to bring Monumental Kids Movement to even more schools and Indianapolis students!
In 2020, the program was retooled to fit schools’ needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. We created training videos to pair with the curriculum, which was included in lessons for all 13,000 students in Indianapolis Public Schools.
In 2019, Monumental Kids Movement had more than 2500 students from 55 schools participate along with 425 volunteers. 1571 students crossed the 5K finish line at the Indy Half marathon at Fort Ben or the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon 5K.
In 2018, Monumental Kids Movement expanded within Marion County as the MSD of Pike Township participated in the program for the first time. 1719 students along with 437 volunteers from 58 programs participated in either the 5K at the Indy Half Marathon at Fort Ben or the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental 5K. Participating programs included 40 schools in Center Township, 13 schools in MSD Lawrence Township, two in MSD of Pike Township, two in MSD of Washington Township and a program from MSD of Wayne Township.
Once again Monumental Kids Movement saw a record number of programs and graduates! In 2017 1739 students along with 422 volunteers from 61 programs participated in either the 5K at 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 in MSD Wayne Township and two in MSD of Washington Township.
In 2016 with students participating in either the 5K at the Indianapolis Half Marathon or the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental 5K the Monumental Kids Movement saw a record of 1,337 students graduate in a year that saw the program span Marion County for the first time. Participating programs included 37 schools in Center Township, 15 schools in MSD Lawrence Township and an additional two in MSD Wayne Township.
The 2015 Monumental Kids Movement saw its growth reach an all-time high of 962 graduates with more than 1000 participating students. . In its fourth year it also had a record number of participating programs with 35 throughout Center Township.
The 2014 Monumental Kids Movement saw a 15% growth of graduates. In just three years the IMM youth running program has grown from a pilot program at IPS Super School 19 to 31 participating schools in 2014. 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 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 on 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 sodas. For those interested, click here to read the results of the survey. Also check out the performance progress report that includes letters from some of the participants.
On March 17, 2014, students who took part in the Monumental Kids Movement 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 Monumental Kids Movement saw an 8.7% increase in Pacer Test scores in the Pre and Post test periods among over 1100 fourth through eighth grade students tested. 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%, whereas 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%.
