ARLINGTON, Va. -- More than 3,500 children participated in the Marine Corps Marathon Kids Run Oct. 24, 2015, at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.
Hosted by Marines from Marine Corps Base Quantico and the National Capitol Region as well as MCM staff, children from the ages of five to 12 ran a one-mile course around the Pentagon north parking lot. Just like the Marine Corps Marathon, the event is held to promote physical fitness, community goodwill and the organization skills of the Marine Corps to the public.
“[The event] gets kids to want to run and to maybe one day run the Marine Corps Marathon,” said Cpl. Darren White, a volunteer at the event.
The event had attractions from mascots, including the Marine Corps Mascot to singers and Marines, who were lined up on the sides of the course to encourage the children during the run and boost their morale throughout the course, according to White.
“The Marines came out here to keep these kids going, and they were supporting them through the finish line,” said White. “They love it. They enjoy [the mascots] coming out.”
The competition gave the children an opportunity to acquaint themselves with the Marine Corps and test their physical limits, according to Cate Johnson, a 10-year old participant in the event.
“ I liked that the Marines were with us and cheering us on,” said Johnson. “It helped me during the run.”
The event is one of the many activities during the weekend of the Marine Corps Marathon, culminating with the marathon itself Oct. 25.