We are thrilled to announce a new sponsor for this event. We welcome on board Greenfingers and look forward to a continuing association with them.

Invitation

Get your running shoes on kids and get training so you can take part in the Greenfingers Kids Marathon run in conjunction with the SBS Bank Hamilton Half Marathon on Sunday 3 October 2010! The event offers a unique opportunity for kids between 5 - 18 years old to enjoy the achievable challenge of taking part in the Greenfingers Kids Marathon ….. one kilometre at a time!

The aim is to run the first 40km of a full marathon distance in the two months leading up to the Greenfingers Half Marathon, for example running one kilometer almost every day, then on event day complete the final 2.195km on the actual half marathon course.

On the day, those children taking part in the Greenfingers Kids Marathon will run the final 2.195km of the actual marathon course - crossing the real finish line and feeling the success of achieving something very special! Kids who enter will on race day receive a race pack that includes a t-shirt and on crossing the finish line (and have logged their 40km before hand) a special medal. Achievement certificates will be available for downloading online.

Children of all ages are invited to start their training programmes this August/September and start logging their kilometres.

We hosted the Kids Marathon for the first time last year, and it was a great success with more than 300 children taking part. The kids who took part really enjoyed the exercise programme in the build up to race day, and their sense of achievement at the conclusion was incredible!

Because Greenfingers feel that health of the environment goes hand in hand with health of children, they wanted to support children to get fit to help keep them healthy.

Lyn Harris, Race Director

What Is Marathon?

In ancient Greece, Phidippedes ran from the plains of Marathon to Athens to report about the Persian War. That is where the marathon got its name. Thousands of years later, people still run, but now they do it for fun.

About half a million people run marathons every year! People who run marathons train a lot. Your body must be in good shape to run a marathon. A marathon is 42.195km. The Kids Marathon will get you on your way to being physically fit.

Training Schedule

Below is a training schedule for suggested distances. If you can only run a little, keep trying. If you can run more than a kilometre a day, great! If you play a lot of sport where you run a lot, this may be easy. Just remember to space your workouts so you are prepared to run the final distance on marathon day. Early completion of the program is not recommended. The schedule leaves Saturdays and Sundays available for catch up days or to give you a rest day. It is important to keep track of your progress toward your goal. As you complete each kilometre colour or mark it off on your Kilometre Countdown Chart.

Mon 9 - Fri 13 Aug 1km/day 5km total
Mon 16 - Fri 20 Aug 1km/day 5km total
Mon 23 - Fri 27 Aug 1km/day 5km total
Mon 30 - Fri 3 Sept 1km/day 5km total
Mon 6 - Fri 10 Sept 1km/day 5km total
Mon 13 - Fri 17 Sept 1km/day 5km total
Mon 20 - Fri 24 Sept 1km/day 5km total
Mon 27 - Fri 1 Oct 1km/day 5km total

This is only a recommended schedule and you may choose to start your 'marathon' earlier or later than the dates above ... but don?t try to do too much too close to marathon day!

Important Information About Marathon Day

Entries close 6th September 2010

Where: Start/Finish at Flagstaff Park Commodore Ave Hamilton. Start time 11.30am

Distance: 2.195kms

Course: 2 laps in Flagstaff Park

Eligibility: All school age children are encouraged to participate. The maximum age is 18.

Entry:Change entries close date to 6th September 2010.

Enter Online: Enter online at www.hamiltonhalfmarathon.org.nz

Training Guide: If you have entered manually on receipt of your entry we will post you a training guide if you require one. For those entering online you will be able to download a training guide.

Acknowledgement of entries: After we receive your completed entry form, we will forward you a confirmation of your entry.

Online entries will receive an e-confirmation. You must bring this confirmation with you on race day to pick up your race number and pack. Confirmation for manual entries will be posted out with race instructions a week before event date.

Race Pack Collection: Available for collection from the Flagstaff Club Friday 1st October 5 to 7pm, Saturday 2nd October 9am to 5pm and from Sunday 3rd October 7am. Your race pack will include a T Shirt and race number which must be worn on race day.

Rewards: All finishers will receive a medal and a finisher's certificate. All participants must complete their race on race day to receive their medal. Make up distances and/or alternate race dates are not recognised.

 

Further information about this exciting event can be found at www.kidsmarathon.org

 

Frequently Asked Questions: Please refer to this section on the website to see if your query can be answered before contacting the Office.

Parking: Parking is available in the field adjacent to Flagstaff Shops - enter by Kindergarten on Endeavour Avenue and follow the instructions from parking marshalls. Parking is also available in streets surrounding Flagstaff Park. Refer to map on website. We also ask that consideration be given to local residents when parking.