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SALT LAKE CITY — Thousands of runners took to the streets of Salt Lake City Saturday for the Salt Lake City Marathon and Half Marathon, many of whom were children. In a vision that has become reality for one Salt Lake City runner, over 40 children ages 10 to 18 ran the half marathon, with two completing the full marathon.
Maryellyn Gilfeather ran the Los Angeles Marathon a few years ago and saw what she described as "thousands of kids" running. Having not witnessed anything like it before at any other marathon, Gilfeather was inspired.
"There were thousands of kids running the LA marathon," she said. "I'd never seen that in a marathon before. Marathons have mostly adults, so I was curious. All the kids who were running had on these shirts that said 'Students run LA.' I got in touch with the person in charge and he helped me create something similar in Salt Lake, and last year was our first year."
Gilfeather called it "Teens Run SLC," and in 2024, she set out to build her program.
"I find coaches who are either parents or teachers at the school and they recruit the kids and coach them," she explained. "I give them each a training plan to follow. They each get a pair of shoes that I provide, as well as a T-shirt and a free entry into the Salt Lake Half Marathon. If the half marathon goes well, the following year, they can run the full marathon."
Gilfeather said she set up a nonprofit to help raise funds, and has also teamed up with SLC Running Co., which provides discounts on shoes, and the Salt Lake City Marathon donates the cost of entries for the kids.
Winston Whitehead, 10, who attends the Salt Lake Arts Academy, ran the half marathon and said he joined Teens Run SLC last year to make some friends.
"My sister did it last year and I was having a hard time with friends at my school," Winston said. "I decided to do it with her because it was with kids from her school and I wanted to meet other kids. It ended up being really good. I ran it with my sister and friends from the program. Teachers came and cheered us on, which was so cool. One of the teachers came and cheered us on in her pajamas and bathrobe. It was so funny, but it was so nice. Teachers really cared about all the kids who ran it and supported us. … I really wanted to beat my time from last year and I did! I ran it in 1:50."
David Martinez-Ross, a 14-year-old 8th grader from Salt Lake Arts Academy, said he also loves the community provided by the Teens Run SLC.
"I really liked doing this because I could run with my friends twice a week, and I feel like a more active person and a more active part of my community," he said.
Jeremy Theriot, a science teacher at Salt Lake Arts Academy, coached many of the athletes who ran in Saturday's race. He said being part of Teens Run SLC has been rewarding.
"All of these kids will have, currently have, or have had me as their science teacher," he said "It's great to work with old students again, get to know students that I'll have in the next few years, as well as work with current students on a shared interest outside of the classroom. I love all the support you see at the race from the volunteers and officers, family, neighbors, friends, students and colleagues. It was really a great experience."
Teens Run SLC is actively seeking students, volunteers, and donations to continue the program that it claims is changing lives.
For more information, go to teensrunslc.org.
