OKLAHOMA CITY -The OKC Marathon is just weeks away, and these kids at the Boys and Girls Club say if you haven’t started training, you’re already behind. They call it the Kids on Track program.

 

“It’s a partnership between Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma Country and the Junior League of Oklahoma City,” said Teena Belcik, President and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma County.

 

The fitness program has been happening for about 20 years, but the real training starts in the October all in preparation for one event.

 

“They are working towards a big culminating event where they will be running in the Oklahoma Memorial Marathon,” said Belcik.

 

Fitness instructors from the Junior League come out weekly, coaching the kids in health and wellness.

 

“So, kind of what our sessions look like, we always start with stretching to get them warmed up. And then we just try to do fun activities with them that keep them engaged,” said Kayla Thompson with the Junior League of Oklahoma City.

 

Fun activities, like duck, duck, goose, freeze tag, and even dancing, all fall into the category of training.

 

“You have to train and it’s kind of hard, but also easy at the same time. So, I mean it’s like okay, hard,” said program participant Rex.

 

The kids will run in the 1-mile kids run, which for some of these veterans won’t even be a challenge.

 

“They always come back the next year, when they’re in the program consistently being braver, being more open and just having more confidence,” said Thompson.

 

“It was very fun doing the marathon and I had a lot of fun. I plan on doing the marathon for the rest of my life, because I’ve been doing it since I was three,” said program participant Syah.

 

The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon weekend is April 24 through 26. The full marathon can be seen live exclusively on News 9.