By Amy Dunkle

Special to the Register

Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of four articles leading up to the weekend of the Brookings Marathon May 11-12.

For more information on the races, go to prairiestriders.net.

Hundreds of runners will take to city streets this year for the Brookings Marathon, Half Marathon, Marathon Relay and Scotty Roberts 5K May 11-12, the culmination of setting goals and following training plans.

But, when they cross the finish line, the runners – serious competitors and weekend warriors alike – can celebrate much more than their individual pursuit and accomplishment. Knowingly or not, they will have helped inspire and support the next generation of runners who may follow in their footsteps.

The 2018 marathon event will celebrate the 10th year of a program – the 26th Mile Club – that sees Boys and Girls Club of Brookings members train in the months leading up to the big day, accumulating 25 miles, and then running the final 26th mile of the marathon during the event.

“We usually have about 15 kids involved,” explains Chelsea Lang, the club’s program director for the first- through fifth-grade clubs. “They meet twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday, and learn about stretching properly, running technique and good nutrition as well as having fun.”

Lang, from Iowa, ran at the University of South Dakota and now works with Trey Owens, the lead of the club’s Healthy Lifestyles program, to prepare the youngsters for race day. She says Owens oversees games that involve such activities as chase games and running relays along with periodic mile check-ins so the members get comfortable with running the mile distance.

“The kids are really excited,” Lang says of this year’s crew as the event nears. “It’s cool to see them learn to be competitive with themselves – that’s a hard concept for kids to wrap their mind around.”

Began with Prairie Striders initiative

The 26th Mile Club grew from informal, yet regular running activities with the Boys and Girls Club members in a Prairie Striders initiative to develop enthusiasm and interest in the sport, Bien explains. He says he had heard about a similar youth program with another marathon: “I thought it would fit well with the Junior Striders and Boys and Girls Club goals for youth fitness.”

In the decade-long partnership, Bien figures the program has drawn an average of 15 young runners per year for a total of about 150 children completing the final marathon mile. Other club members finish the pre-training 25 miles, but can’t attend the race event. The Brooking Marathon awards all of the youngsters a marathon medal for the achievement regardless of when they complete their 26th mile.

Bien says he can’t think of a better way to promote fitness and offer kids the unique opportunity of crossing the finish line in a big race.

“I think the goal of completing 25 miles before race day motivates the kids,” he says. “Some have seen the awesome medals from prior years and look forward to race day.  The club has embraced the opportunity for many of the same reasons.  It’s a win for everyone.”

Fits with Boys & Girls Club mission

Vanessa Merhib, Boys and Girls Club executive director, echoes Bien’s sentiments. Adopting a healthy lifestyle with regular activity, good nutrition and joining others in a positive activity directly fits the club’s mission.

“We love to partner with those who have the same values, focus and approach that we do. The marathon program for the kids has developed a love for running in many of the kids,” Merhib says. “The investment shows our kids that there are a lot of people in our community who care for them.”

The support extends beyond welcoming the young runners to join in the event. Proceeds from race entries – about $3,000 to  $4,000 a year – supports programs and opportunities at the club. For example, the club now offers supper in the evenings during the school year since some of the youth stay until 9 p.m. In 2017, the club served 110,844 healthy snacks and meals.

“The proceeds from the marathon are one of the investments that help make this possible,” says Merhib.

At the same time, she adds, “We have instilled a love for running, competition and success in kids. Our marathon program is often mentioned by the kids as something that inspired them and was fun. With a little luck, this will be the spark that keeps kids interested in staying active lifelong.”

The club continues to see the trend of its members reporting later engagement than average in at-risk behaviors, and higher rates of being outdoors and staying physically active than non-club members.

Running – kid approved

Eight-year-olds Eli and Mac offer up their endorsement of the program. Eli explains that he happened to see other club members involved in the program, thought the activities looked fun and decided to join.

Now, with the experience, he says, “I will probably get outside a little more now after 26 mile club.”

Mac, who says he enjoys the exercise, adds, “I like that we get to play running games like chase relays and you can’t stop running. I also like that we are working up to running a big mile all together as a team.”

The excitement at the finish line is contagious regardless of the time on the clock. 

Bien notes, “It’s hard to express the joy on the kids’ faces when they cross the finish line and receive that medal. It doesn’t seem to matter how fast or how slow. They can’t wait to show the medal to anyone and everyone.

“Maybe a few will come back some day and run the full 26 miles at once.  Maybe they just get the bug and find that staying active is fun.  Regardless, it’s well worth the investment in our youth.”