September 25, 2021 at Anneberg Park (Manhattan, Kan.)

The 2021 Body First School Fitness Challenge will be held on September 25, 2021 at Anneberg Park!  This year, $10,000 will be awarded to participating schools based on the students who participate in the event. Through 2019, the 10-year total of funds to area schools is just more than $90,000, made possible by generous support of the title sponsor, Body First Health and Wellness, and many more local sponsors.

This event was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2019 Individual Race Results | School by School Results | Summary of  money won

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The Body First School Fitness Challenge was developed in 2008 with a simple idea to provide money to local schools for encouraging their students to be active. With local business sponsors, the Manhattan Cross Country Club provided $1,000 to area schools. Since then, we have grown tremendously. In 2016, this event provided a record $12,000 to area schools in Manhattan, Riley, Westmoreland, St. George and Wamego. It is the largest Kids Fun Run in the state of Kansas and we have growing evidence to suggest that it is one of the Top 5 Kids Fun Runs in the entire United States!
This event is made possible by the generosity of our title sponsor, Body First Wellness of Manhattan and the following:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Below is a summary of awards sent to each eligible school in 2019. For a breakdown of how the funds were awarded to each school, click on this file.

TOTAL FUNDS AWARDED, BY SCHOOL (2019)
Amanda Arnold Elementary -- $1,131
Bergman Elementary -- $806
Bluemont Elementary -- $656
Flint Hills Christian -- $1256
Lee Elementary -- $1131
Manhattan Catholic -- $806
Marlatt Elementary -- $1006
Northview Elementary -- $606
St. George Elementary -- $656
Theodore Roosevelt Elementary -- $756
Wamego West Elementary -- $426
Woodrow Wilson Elementary -- $756

The mission of the Body First School Fitness Challenge is to provide support and money to K-8 schools in Manhattan and the surrounding area to assist with fitness-related activities or equipment.  Children register through their school in the fall and choose which distance they would like to run. Schools are awarded money based on total number of students participating, and the percentage of students participating.