To Whom It May Concern s2

To Whom It May Concern:

The Exygon and Baptist Hospitals Gusher Marathon, SETMA Half Marathon & Kinsel Ford 5K has a wellness initiative for children called the Gusher Kids’ Marathon Club. Participating students will log 23 miles of exercise between now and March 1, 2013. Then, they’ll participate in the Kinsel Ford 5K on March 9, 2013 to complete the marathon distance. We’ll present the children with marathon finisher’s medals in a special ceremony at school within a few weeks of the race.

The 2012-2013 race marks the third year for the Gusher Kids’ Marathon Club. The Club has been featured in the Beaumont Enterprise and on the It’s Time Texas segment of the KBMT-12 newscast. The purpose of the club is to give children an opportunity to begin or continue a healthy exercise program with their families.

We have added a new Club opportunity for 2012-the Pleasure Island Kids’ Half- Marathon Club. Children are asked to log 11 miles before November 4th. Then, they’ll participate (at a minimum) in the 2 mile portion of the upcoming Pleasure Island Bridge Half Marathon, Moore for Kids 10K & Kinsel Ford 2 Mile race. As with the Gusher Kids’ Marathon Club, we’ll present half-marathon finisher’s medals to the children at school.

We would like to offer your students the opportunity to participate in these programs. Please distribute the attached materials to the students.

Please contact Lisa Mann at (409) 782-6017 or [email protected] with any questions you have. Thank you for your consideration!

Sincerely, DO YOU LIKE TO RUN? WOULD YOU LIKE TO EARN PRIZES JUST FOR EXERCISING? THEN WE’VE GOT A PROGRAM FOR YOU!!

Since 2011, kids in the Golden Triangle area and beyond have been participating in the Gusher Kids’ Marathon Club. What is the Gusher Kids’ Marathon Club? It’s an opportunity for anyone under 18 to become a marathon finisher.

What do you need to do? It’s simple. In this packet is a form where you track your miles. Ask your parent or another family member to go walk or run with you a few times a week. Every time you complete a mile, log it in. When you get to 23 miles, turn your log into the adult that introduced you to the program (school teacher, parent, family friend). On March 9, 2013, you’ll participate in the Exygon and Baptist Hospitals Gusher Marathon, SETMA Half Marathon & Kinsel Ford 5K. You can do any portion of the race you wish, but you must complete at least the 5K. A registration form is attached with information regarding the cost of the race, location, etc.

That will bring your mileage total to 26-the distance of a marathon! Gusher staff will present you with a marathon medal within a few weeks of the race in front of your friends and family, most likely during a ceremony at your school.

2012 is an exciting year for the Kids’ Club because we have a new event! On November 4, 2012, the Pleasure Island Bridge Half Marathon, Moore for Kids 10K & Kinsel Ford 2 Mile will take place. We’re offering a Kids’ Half Marathon Club for this race. If you log in 11 miles by race day and complete at least the 2 mile portion of the race, we’ll present you with a half marathon finisher’s medal within a few weeks of the race. A registration form is attached with information regarding the cost of the race, location, etc.

If you know any kids who have participated in the Club before, you know that Club participation will help you develop healthy exercise habits that we hope will continue as you become an adult. Running is a sport you can participate in anywhere, anytime. As long as you have proper shoes, pavement, or a treadmill, you have all the tools you need to become a lifelong runner.

Kids’ Marathon Club participants, like we hope you will become, are ambassadors of a healthy lifestyle to their friends and family. Can you think of someone in your life that could use some inspiration and motivation? It’s amazing to think how exercising a few times a week can lead to healthy changes throughout your whole family! You have the ability to be a hero for yourself, your family, your friends, and your community. I hope our Kids’ Marathon Club is your first step on your journey to change the world!! MILE LOG FORM

Student Name: ______School Name: ______Grade:______Age: ____

Parent Name:______Email:______Phone: ______

DATE NUMBER OF TOTAL NUMBER DESCRIPTION VERIFIED MILES OF MILES BY ADULT COMPLETED Example Walked after supper with my family. √ : 2 2 06/12/12 DATE NUMBER OF TOTAL NUMBER DESCRIPTION VERIFIED MILES OF MILES BY ADULT COMPLETED NOTE TO PARENTS

Kids who participate in the Gusher Marathon Kids Club must have a responsible adult register to complete the Kinsel Ford 5K with them. One adult can supervise multiple kids. This is to ensure the child’s safety on the course. We encourage as many family members as possible to register and participate with their child.

A registration form is attached. Please mail completed forms with registration fees to:

Sports Society for American Health P.O. Box 608 Beaumont, TX 77704

Please make checks payable to the Sports Society for American Health.

You may also register online and download additional race maps at http://www.thegushermarathon.com.

We want this to be a fun, family-friendly activity. Encourage family members to make signs or wear T-shirts with your child’s name to show their support along the route on race day.

Your child will need you to verify the miles they log over the next few months on the attached form. Log forms are due to the school office by March 1, 2013. Remember, they need to log 23 miles in order to qualify as a marathon finisher.

We intend for this to be a grassroots organization. If you are interested in helping with the program next year, or helping us launch Kids Clubs in other area schools, please contact [email protected] or Lisa Sandlin at (409) 782-6017. MILE LOG FORM

Student Name: ______School Name: ______Grade:______Age: ____

Parent Name:______Email:______Phone: ______

DATE NUMBER OF TOTAL NUMBER DESCRIPTION VERIFIED MILES OF MILES BY ADULT COMPLETED Example Walked after supper with my family. √ : 2 2 06/12/12 DATE NUMBER OF TOTAL NUMBER DESCRIPTION VERIFIED MILES OF MILES BY ADULT COMPLETED DATE NUMBER OF TOTAL NUMBER DESCRIPTION VERIFIED MILES OF MILES BY ADULT COMPLETED NOTE TO PARENTS

Kids who participate in the Half Marathon Kids Club must have a responsible adult register to complete the event with them. One adult can supervise multiple kids. This is to ensure the child’s safety on the course. We encourage as many family members as possible to register and participate with their child.

A registration form is attached. Please mail completed forms with registration fees to:

Sports Society for American Health P.O. Box 608 Beaumont, TX 77704

Please make checks payable to the Sports Society for American Health.

You may also register online and download additional race maps at http://www.sportssocietyforamericanhealth.org.

We want this to be a fun, family-friendly activity. Encourage family members to make signs or wear T-shirts with your child’s name to show their support along the route on race day.

Your child will need you to verify the miles they log over the next few months on the attached form. Log forms are due to the school office by November 1, 2012. Remember, they need to log 11 miles in order to qualify as a half marathon finisher.

We intend for this to be a grassroots organization. If you are interested in helping with the program next year, or helping us launch Kids Clubs in other area schools, please contact [email protected] or Lisa Sandlin at (409) 782-6017.