New shoes donated to 100s of Detroit youth running in Kids Marathon
Students are fitted for their new running shoes during the 2025 program.
The Detroit Free Press Marathon along with partners Running Lab and Priority Health, will distribute brand-new running shoes to hundreds of Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) students at eight area schools during their 2026 Kids Shoe Drop on Thursday, October 1 and Friday, October 2.
For many students, the new shoes will be more than a new pair of sneakers; they will be the shoes they use to complete their final mile at the Kids Marathon presented by Priority Health during race weekend.
Ahead of the Shoe Drop, Running Lab visited participating schools on September 17-18 to measure each student individually and ensure every child receives a properly fitted pair of running shoes.
Students at 8 schools receive shoes
The eight Detroit Public Schools included are Bates Academy, Davison, GoLightly, John R. King, Mark Twain, Edmonson, Academy of the Americas, Fisher Magnet. Students have been eagerly anticipating the moment they get to lace up their new shoes.
Representatives from the Detroit Free Press Marathon, Priority Health, and DPSCD will visit each school to host a brief assembly and distribute brand new running shoes to every student.
This year, 400 students will receive shoes, which is a huge growth since the Detroit Free Press Marathon first began the program with 200 students in 2024.
Program possible thanks to companies’ support
This program is made possible thanks to the support of companies such as Meijer, MSUFCU, Bedrock, Savvy Sliders, Milk Means More, Gatorade, Priority Health, Absopure and Running Lab.
Students receiving shoes will participate in the Kids Marathon presented by Priority Health during race weekend on Saturday, October 17, 2026 in Detroit. The students will be bussed down to the race together where they will then participate as a group and be able to continue to encourage and support one another. Throughout the summer and fall, participating students will run or walk 25.2 miles toward their goal. They will complete their final marathon mile, marking 26.2 miles, in their brand-new shoes, during the Kids Marathon which will begin and end at The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.
The Shoe Drop is designed to help make sure every participating student has the footwear they need to take part, stay active, and experience the accomplishment of crossing a marathon finish line.
