Take the MACARONI MARATHON Summer Challenge! Self-Led. Family-Fueled. Powered by Macaroni KID Schaumburg. Sponsored by Cardio Kidz and Jen's Art, Gifts & Books.
What is a Macaroni Marathon? Kids are spending way too much time inside, and even parents are making excuses about not having time to be active (me: guilty 🙋🏼♀️). Our goal with Macaroni Marathon is to challenge families to take the streets, the trails, and the tracks to complete the distance of a marathon in an 8-week period.
We’ll gather at the beginning of our challenge for a kickoff on May 31st where we’ll run, roll, walk, jog or crawl the first mile together. It will then be up to participating families to fuel one another to achieve the total distance of 26.2 miles. You can do this one kilometer at a time, one mile at a time, or any distance of your choosing. By the end of the two-month period, we’ll have a celebratory party for all those that completed the challenge. This event is FREE to participate in. We want as many people moving as possible!
Sign Me Up! Is your family ready to join the challenge? Please fill out this form and download your tracking sheet!
Then, join our Facebook Group and share photos, tips, encouragement, or get refueled from other participating families: 2025 MKSHE Macaroni Marathon
 Image by Mabel Amber from Pixabay |
Where Do You Start? Join us (if you can - it's not required) on May 31st where we'll kick off the challenge with our first mile. We have reserved a space at the Spring Valley Nature Center Outdoor Pavilion from 10:30 AM-12:30 PM. Then, it's up to you how to break it up. You will have 56 days to get it done - finish by July 26th. Here are just a few ideas of how you can complete the challenge:
- 1 kilometer (0.62 of a mile) per day for 42 days
- 5K (3.1 miles) per week
- 1 mile, 3 days a week, or switch it up based on your schedule!
This challenge is completely flexible and is up to you how you want to make it work. What makes it perfect for the summer is you can do it anywhere! Knock out some of your distance on a hike around the lake or down the beach, or find a running trail or even neighborhood street. Just grab your family, track the miles, and watch the distance add up!
I'll also be posting meet up days at various parks around the community!
Come out for a stroll, play, or just connect!
Tracking Sheet Print this out to keep track of your miles with this tracking sheet! Color it in, and add a sticker in the square for each mile you complete!
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Local Trails
Here are some great local trails to get you started:
- Spring Valley Trail (Schaumburg) - Explore 3 miles of trails through woodlands, wetlands, and prairies.
- Busse Woods Trail (Elk Grove Village) - Scenic trails with 13 miles of paved paths winding through the forest preserve.
- Poplar Creek Trail (Hoffman Estates) - A 9-mile trail featuring lovely natural surroundings.
- Paul Douglas Trail (Hoffman Estates/Schaumburg) - A 6-mile loop and other single track trails that are perfect for a peaceful run or walk.
- Mallard Lake Trail (Bloomingdale) - Offers 4.1 miles of paths around Mallard Lake.
- Schaumburg Bikeways (Schaumburg) - A network of trails connecting various parts of Schaumburg.
- Meacham Grove Trail (Bloomingdale) - Features about 2.6 miles of scenic paths.
- Volkening Lake Loop (Schaumburg) - .7 Mile Loop around a quiet lake with water activities in the summer.
FREE Running/Walking Groups Let me know if you run one or if you want to help me start one! Check our Facebook Group for meet up dates, too!
We Love Our Sponsors!
 | Cardio Kidz is a nonprofit organization fosters inclusivity and community spirit by providing athletic opportunities for youths of all abilities, focusing on engagement, self-confidence and sportsmanship. |
Let's Get It Started!
My family and I will be doing this right along with you. I am so excited to work toward this goal with you! Please feel free to email me with any questions, thoughts or suggestions. This is our inaugural Macaroni Marathon and I hope to do this at least once a year, so let's learn as we go and make this a family event that we look forward to year after year!
Health Advisory: Before beginning any new exercise journey, we encourage all participants to consult their healthcare provider, especially if they are new to exercise or have any medical conditions. Our goal is to promote a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone!
Don't Forget to Sign Up - Perks to Come!
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