SAN ANGELO, Texas — On your marks, get set... go!
It's what many elementary-age students heard before they completed the final lap of a 26-mile goal Thursday afternoon at San Angelo Stadium.
Shannon Medical Center and many other community-based organizations partnered to bring the 10th annual CATCH in Motion Kids Marathon event together again this year.
The purpose behind the program is to give children an opportunity to start a healthy lifestyle at a young age.
"We really want to encourage healthy habits early on in life because the kids are more likely to stick with it if they start at an earlier age and so they come out and they like to see the athletes and they really look up to them and participate with them," Shannon Health and Wellness Project Coordinator Starr Long explained.
Students from Angelo State University and Central and Lake View high schools made appearances as well, as various fitness activities covered the entire football field and many of the high school athletes encouraged the children to never give up.
In addition, giveaways and prizes were awarded throughout the course of the event in hopes to remind each and every child that staying active is important. Many of the sponsor organizations were there to remind parents that there are a number of programs available to keep children active and healthy all summer long.
