RRCA: Kids Run the Nation

The Kids Run the Nation Program is a multi-week, gender neutral, youth running program designed for children in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. The RRCA's vision is to see a locally managed, youth running program in every grade school in America.

The Kids Run the Nation Program Guide is designed to help teachers, coaches, or program directors develop youth running programs that can be implemented as a physical education or classroom wellness curriculum, or as a before or after-school program, or as a community-based youth running program. The emphasis of this program is on participation and developing a healthy lifestyle as opposed to being a competitive running program. The Program Guide is a full-color, 40-page educational curriculum divided into eight lesson plans, with a bonus ninth lesson on competitive running. Each lesson plan can be taught during a one-hour class period over an 8-week time frame.

Learn more about the program and how teachers can obtain Kids Run the Nation materials for free.

Kids Run the Nation Fund

In 2007, the RRCA developed the Kids Run the Nation Fund to assists running clubs, events, and schools that are interested in implementing or currently have a youth running program. This small grant program is funded by restricted contributions from RRCA members, individuals, foundations, and corporations. Grants are awarded on an annual basis through an application and selection process overseen by a volunteer selection committee.  Learn more.