BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Marathon is excited to announce the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Kids Marathon Challenge starting Monday, September 14, 2020. The Blue Cross Kids Marathon Challenge is a virtual-based fitness program to expand the reach and access of the Blue Cross Kids Marathon that is a part of the Louisiana Marathon Weekend in January 2021. Providing an online platform kids are challenged to run, walk, or jog 26.2 virtual miles from the safety of their own school or neighborhood.
"Blue Cross' mission is to improve the health and lives of Louisianians, and that's why we've been proud to partner with the Louisiana Marathon since its first year to support and encourage people in being physically active and leading strong, healthy lives, "said Michael Tipton, head of Community Relations for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and Blue Cross Foundation president. “This year, we are excited to sponsor the virtual Kids Marathon Challenge and offer school children across the state a way to make fitness fun. Although the race will look different because of COVID-19, we think the virtual option is a great opportunity to get more Louisiana schools and communities engaged in the marathon.”
The Virtual Kids Challenge is focused on the 8 largest school districts/markets in Louisiana. The Kids Challenge aims to get all kids active. The 26.2 miles are a cumulative goal that can be tackled in small increments by kids of all ages. The Blue Cross Kids Marathon Challenge is designed to start when kids go back to school in the fall. This provides the perfect amount of time to introduce and implement the program in schools & groups. Kids starting in September/October will have between 3-4 months to complete their 26.2 mile journey.
Louisiana Department of Education State Superintendent, Dr. Cade Brumley said, "As an avid runner, I know first-hand the benefits this opportunity offers our children. Running is a life-long sport that supports physical and mental health. " Louisiana Marathon Partnerships Director and Co-Founder, Craig Sweeney said, “We are very thrilled to announce the Blue Cross Kids Challenge with the Louisiana Department of Education and 10 year Partner Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana as we continue to build a Healthier Louisiana."
The 10th annual Louisiana Marathon Weekend will take place on Jan. 15th – 17th, 2021 in downtown Baton Rouge.
To register for the Blue Cross Kids Marathon Challenge, please visit: https://runsignup.com/BlueCrossKidsMarathon
For more information on Louisiana Marathon, please visit: http://www.thelouisianamarathon.com
About the Louisiana Marathon
Founded in 2012, the 10th Annual Rendezvous running festival is scheduled for Martin Luther King Jr. weekend and takes place in Louisiana's capital city, Baton Rouge. As a multi-race format there's a race for everyone: Marathon (26.2 miles), Half Marathon (13.1 miles), Ochsner Quarter Marathon (6.55 miles), Ochsner 5K (3.1 miles) and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Kids Marathon (1 mile). Each year friends, family, and curious spectators line up along miles of picturesque roadways, filled with inspiring Louisiana sights and sounds to cheer on runners from 50 states and more than 32 countries. The Louisiana Marathon course takes runners from downtown Baton Rouge through the University Lakes, the Louisiana State University campus, and through historic rivertown neighborhoods.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is committed to our mission to improve the health and lives of Louisianians. Founded in New Orleans in 1934, we are a tax-paying nonprofit health insurer with offices in every major region to serve our customers. We were recognized in 2019 and 2020 as an honoree of The Civic 50, named by Points of Light as one of the 50 most community-minded companies in United States.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. We are a private mutual company, owned by our policyholders, with an independent Louisiana Board of Directors and no shareholders. We invite all Louisianians to visit our website at www.bcbsla.com or talk to us on social media.
About Louisiana Department of Education
The Louisiana Department of Education is built on the premise that Louisiana students are just as capable as any students in America, and that those closest to children – parents and teachers – are best positioned to help students achieve those expectations. As a result of this belief, Louisiana has seen an increase in student performance in every measure both locally and nationally. More students in grades 3-8 are mastering the fundamental skills they need to be successful in the next level of study. More students are graduating on-time, with the credentials and funding needed to be successful in college or the workplace.
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