Welcome to Marathonkids Ireland 2021!

The launch of the Marathonkids Ireland 2021 Program took place on Wednesday, Sep 8th at Morton Stadium in Santry.

Over 12,500 students across Fingal County, Dublin City Sport and Wellbeing Partnership, South Dublin Co Co, Galway Co Co and areas throughout the Gaeltacht representing over 200 schools have enrolled for the 2021 program.

Marathonkids Ireland (https://marathonkidsireland.ie) is an 8-week program for 5th-6th class students in Ireland. The program topics will entail daily short runs, physical & mental health education, nutrition, exercise. The program aims at promoting physical activity among students and fighting child obesity. Each Student will record daily updates in their physical or digital workbooks. The Topics tie in to the SPHE module of the student’s curriculum.

Marathonkids ambassador 2-time European Champion and Olympian David Gillick was joined among others by Seána Ó Rodaigh, Mayor of Fingal, Peter Kavanagh, Mayor of South Dublin, and Grace Winters, EMEA Shared Services Director at Abbott. Paul Moran, chairman of KBC Dublin Marathon and proud supporters of Marathonkids Ireland was also in attendance.

Gillick stated “The Marathonkids Ireland program is going from strength to strength and has seen significant growth in the last 6 years. Over 40,000 students and 300 schools across Ireland have completed the program to date. In 2021 we will see the Marathonkids participation and completion surpass 50,000 students since launch”. 

Grace Winters, EMEA Shared Services Director at Abbott adds “We all want our children to be happy, healthy and to live full lives. At Abbott, as a leader in cardiovascular disease and diabetes care, we know how healthy habits can last a lifetime. That is why we are proud to be partnering with Marathon Kids, an innovative programme that teaches students about the benefits that exercise and sport can have on their wellbeing. Abbott are excited to be part of this programme as reaches schools in Dublin and across Ireland.

The programme officially launches in the schools on 20th of September 2021.