Gift of Running in Daisy 5K Now Possible for Marathon Kids Participants

AUSTIN, Texas—February 5, 2009—Marathon Kids® today announced that the Gazelle Foundation has awarded a $5,000 grant to provide free entry for children running in the Daisy 5K on February 28, 2009.  The gift will cover entry fees for up to one thousand children participating in the Kids K portion of the race; a smaller number of entry fees will be covered if some children decide to run the 5K.  The grant is intended for children who are participating in the Marathon Kids® program in local schools.

“In Austin, there are nearly 60,000 registered Marathon Kids of all level incomes and abilities in our six month running/walking, nutrition and schoolyard gardening program. The Gazelle Foundation’s financial support of some of our K-5th grade children allows them to become part of the community-wide Daisy 5K/1K  and helps solidify his/her relationship with the habit of daily exercise, as well as experience joyful, positive community from Austin adult runners,” said Kay Morris, Founder and Director of Marathon Kids®.

This is the first grant awarded by The Gazelle Foundation since its founding in 2006. The Foundation, best known for its efforts to enable clean water sources in Burundi, Africa, has as part of its mission to give back to Central Texas by providing enriching opportunities to actively engage youth in physically fit, healthful lifestyles through awareness, education and participation. 

“We are very excited to provide the funds to help kids participate in a real running race,” said Gilbert Tuhabonye, Gazelle Foundation Executive Director.  “By extending the wonderful platform created by Marathon Kids, we can help kids experience the joy of participating in a local road running event and encourage a lifelong commitment to fitness. It is great to partner with the Austin Runner’s Club and Marathon Kids to make this happen.” 

While all kids are encouraged to participate, the Gazelle Foundation asks families who can to help the Foundation help others.  Each family that pays their child’s entry cost directly enables a less fortunate child to participate in the race.  The Gazelle Foundation hopes to build on this model for future races.  “This is a first for kids running events here in Central Texas,” continued Tuhabonye. “Based on what we learn here, we hope to extend this to a broader audience as funding permits.”

The Daisy 5K is sponsored by the Austin Runner’s Club (ARC) and is the first race in the Sprint Series, five short distance races taking place from March through May.  The Daisy 5K will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2009 and includes a 5K, kids 1K, women’s only start and stroller division.  This will the be the 32^nd Annual running of the race, which starts and finishes on E. 5^th Street, two blocks east of I-35.  All profits from the race benefit Marathon Kids.

Registration for the Daisy 5K is open at www.austinrunners.org.  Participants can register on-line, view all race details including course maps, times and parking information, plus sign up to volunteer. Discounts are available to all Austin Runner’s Club members. For more information about the race or volunteer opportunities, contact Diana Wightman – (281) 380-0177 or daisy@austinrunners.org.

About Marathon Kids:

Marathon Kids is a 12 year old non-profit that began in Austin, Texas as a grassroots initiative and is now in seven USA cities.  It is a free, six month, endurance building running/walking/nutrition and gardening program for K-5th graders.  The program builds joyful community around children and is quickly accepted into public, private and home schools as a free, innovative celebratory fitness program, resonating with the child.and with the child’s family.  The child develops the love and habit of moving through space and carries forward the power of muscular, nutritional and psychological well being.www.MarathonKids.org.

About the Gazelle Foundation:

The Gazelle Foundation was founded in 2006 in Austin, Texas by a group of runners interested in helping others. The Foundation’s formation was inspired by Gilbert Tuhabonye, a Burundi survivor of the Hutu/Tutsi civil upheaval of the 1980’s and 90’s which continues to this day. 

The Gazelle Foundation implements charitable efforts to improve life for people in Burundi and offers assistance to children of our community. The Foundation was founded by runners seeking to encourage the entire community to support victims of adversity through running-related programs. For more information, visit www.gazellefoundation.com