Perry’s Academic, Cultural, and Enrichment Services (PACES) program is currently on winter break like the rest of the Perry School District, but when they come back there will be a new exercise program waiting for them.

PACES Director Mary Hillman says she had the idea to get the students active by encouraging them to run what she’s calling a “Mini Marathon.” “How can you get a little preschooler to do a marathon? Well, you can do it one mile at a time, or less. And so if you walk the entire perimeter, including kind of the pod areas, at the elementary, it equals one mile. And so we are hoping that students can do that at least once a week, starting in January. And over time build up to (a distance) which equals a full marathon, which is 26 miles, 385 yards.”

Hillman adds, to keep the students motivated she’ll be offering incentives when they reach the 5 and 10 kilometer marks, as well as when they complete a half-marathon. Students will be given awards when they hit each of the waypoints, and have until the end of the school year to finish their marathon. Hillman is hopeful the Mini Marathon will help keep kids exercising on days when there’s poor weather, and motivate them to stay active throughout the year. To learn more about current and upcoming activities with the PACES program, click the link below to listen to the Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program with Hillman.

https://raccoonvalleyradio.com/2018/12/lets-talk-dallas-county-12172018-mary-hillman/