SAN BENITO — Students at Fred Booth Elementary are moving and they are covering a lot of ground.
By the end of the school year, students at the San Benito elementary school will have completed more than 100 miles by walking and running at their own pace.
The Marathon Kids Grant supports and encourages students to keep moving by providing training, rewards, tools and resources to the school or running group that qualifies for the grant.
Students are challenged to complete four marathons and in turn, the campus has received $7,700 to help its students finish.
Second grade teacher Veronica Scott led the effort to receive the grant.
Scott said she had applied for the grant on behalf of the campus several times.
While in previous years the campus received a partial grant, this is only the second year the school received the full grant.
“I love this grant,” Scott said. “We love it. It gives the students an incentive to do extra.”
The object of the grant is to allow students to move at their own pace during their PE class.
Coaches then record times and distances for each student.
Students also have the opportunity to continue the effort outside of school with their family and record those times as well.
Scott said the grant money goes toward providing equipment to help the students complete the tasks.
“We give them the tools and resources so they can be healthier people,” Scott said.
Shoelaces and time clocks are among some of the items the money has helped purchase for the students.
At the end of the year, Scott said students are expected to have completed four full marathons.
Students receive rewards for each marathon they complete.
“I think it is a really good way to get our kids moving,” Scott said.
The grant will end on May 30 with a closing ceremony to celebrate the miles students have completed.
The $7,700 grant awarded to a school helps provide resources for students to complete marathons and keep a healthy and active lifestyle.
