More than 2,500 children are expected to run a marathon to raise awareness and support for other children fighting cancer.
The Seattle Kids Marathon, now in its fifth year, will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29. In its first year, 312 children participated in the event. This year, an anticipated 2,500 children representing 49 local schools will be running.
Students from Echo Lake Elementary in Shoreline, Mill Creek Elementary in Mill Creek and Pacific Montessori Learning Center in Edmonds are among the schools represented.
Saturday will represent the culmination of a five-week, 26-mile program administered through the schools in cooperation with the Seattle Marathon Association. So when the kids complete the final 1.2 miles, they will have essentially completed a full marathon in a manner that is healthy for their growing bodies.
What makes this event particularly special is that the kids run to raise funds and awareness to fight childhood cancer. In the two years the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Puget Sound has been the event beneficiary, children acting independently and in teams through their schools have raised several thousand dollars in contributions for the organization.
Last year, nearly $40,000 was raised for the organization, which in the past two years has helped more than 800 area children and families confronting the devastating illness.
Joining the kids this year to rally them through the final leg of their accomplishment and to help generate awareness of their efforts and the Candlelighters organization will be Hubert the lion — ambassador for The Harris and Harrisdirect, title sponsor of the Harrisdirect Seattle Marathon 2003.
Hubert will also be posing for photos with attendees at the two-day Health and Fitness Expo Nov. 28-29 and with participants after they complete their marathon on Saturday.
The Seattle Kids Marathon is always dedicated to a Candlelighters member. This year’s race will be in honor of Sara Shuckhart, an 18 year-old senior at Curtis High School in University Place who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2001. She will officially start the race.
In addition, this year a Candlelighter member will also be running in the race — Sierra Fuller, a 7-year-old at Eagle Rock Multi Age School who was diagnosed this past April. She and 67 of her classmates from Eagle Rock will be running for “Team Sierra” to raise money and awareness. This will be Sierra’s third Seattle Kids Marathon and her group will be easy to spot, as they will all be wearing yellow baseball caps.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
