The Saskatchewan Marathon kicks off Sunday morning, but this year will have a much larger height discrepancy between runners.

Kids from all over the region will be joining in for the final 2.2 kilometres in what's called the Saskatchewan Mara-Fun -- completing a full marathon they've been running for the past 10 weeks, four kilometres per week.

"We're just doing it for fun, and more just setting personal goals. It hasn't been competitive at all," said Shannon Kekula-Christiansen, vice principal and physical education teacher at Vince Massey school.

"Running isn't something that's hard to do as a physical activity. Just make it a part of your life, walk to school, bike, do those things that you could normally do every day."

After working with her kids for 10 weeks and helping them to conceptually understand what a marathon is, she's excited for the big day.

Marathon organizer Shad Ali said fitness for kids is a much bigger issue today than it has been in the past.

"It's not only the obesity -- I think what comes as a root of that, is really a lack of activity."

Participating schools include Aberdeen Composite, Battleford Central, Borden, Bready, Caswell Community, Confederation Park, Lakeview, Fairhaven, George Vanier, Holy Family, Howard Code, Hugh Cairns, Lanigan Elementary, Lord Asquith, Macklin, Norman Carter, Prairie View, Sister O'Brien, St. Alphonse, St. Brieux, St. Francis, St. Margaret, St. Matthews, St. Peter, Vanscoy, Venture Heights, Vincent Massey and Wakaw.

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