Making Strides Program for Kids

The Salt Lake City Track Club has been giving back to the running community for decades. One special way we do this is through Making Strides: a 5-week program (started in 2009) that introduces kids to running. The program, which takes place each fall, fulfills several needs within an underserved community of kids in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades.

Making Strides provides the 60-80 participating kids with running shoes, technical t-shirts, socks, and post-session snacks. This program benefits kids in many ways, and is only possible because volunteers like you donate your time:

  • Exposure to the coolest sport on earth: running! Many of these kids discover they’re really good at running as a result of this program. Others simply learn about the importance of being active.

  • Encouragement from coaches. Each group of 6-8 kids has a dedicated coach who listens to them, teaches them about all the nuances of running, and spends quality time with them. Real friendships develop between the coaches and kids.

  • Exercise. The first half of the program usually involves a workshop that gets the kids warmed up (yoga, stretching, etc.). The second half involves running.

Please consider a donation to support this life-changing program.