Champions in Training School Program

Start Strong – Finish Proud

The greatest joy on Father’s Day is seeing the sea of school-aged kids swirling around the start lines of the 5km Super Run, the Manitoba Marathon 10km, the Johnston Group Relay, the Half Marathon, and even Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Full Marathon! To see the excitement of those students as they cross the finish line – as well as all the teachers and parents who have volunteered their time to encourage them – is what we are striving for with the Manitoba Marathon Champions in Training program. Manitoba’s schools – with the active support of the Manitoba Marathon – are introducing thousands of kids to a healthy and happy lifestyle each spring. The Manitoba Marathon has happily supported these schools for over 40 years with helpful training tips, resource kits, and even staff visits to help school leaders. Nearly 200 schools and 3500 young runners are participating in this program every year!

We are excited to welcome you back the Champions in Training Program for 2026 as we celebrate 43 years of getting kids running!

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

Online registration for the program will close June 5th, 2026. Should you still wish to register for our June 21st event after online registration closes, teachers can contact our office and parents should contact their run club leader. Manual registrations will continue to be accepted during school week.

Teachers…Ready to sign up?

On this page you will be able to register your school with the program, request the number of materials you need, and sign up for Jog in the Park (Date TBD). If you have any questions please contact our School Program Manager, Sarah Carroll at: manager@manitobamarathon.mb.ca or 204-415-4517 

Family and Student Race Day Registration

This registration button below is only for participants who are registering for a Manitoba Marathon event and are in our Champions in Training program. Online registration closes June 5th.

Here’s how you can take part!

 What is the Champions in Training Program and how does your school get involved?

• Many schools start their running programs shortly after Spring Break, and offer participation in the Manitoba Marathon as a goal for students to strive towards.
• With the help of the Manitoba Marathon school program materials, each school is encouraged to develop a running program that fits its needs. For many schools, these might be runs before school, during lunch, or after school.
• Participation in the Manitoba Marathon is not a requirement to join the CIT program. Schools and students are welcome to take part in the program, regardless of whether they are going to participate in the Manitoba Marathon. We simply want to encourage students to participate in training sessions, and commit to an active lifestyle.
• This program will provide you with many wonderful perks, such as guaranteed early fees for the Manitoba Marathon, youth rates for students and a special registration system.( More information about this is below.)
• The CIT program is a vehicle for program leaders like you to get your students involved in wonderful community events. Becoming a part of this program provides you with the opportunity to bring your school to Jog in the Park, and join many other schools in a fun filled day of dancing, running and treats!
• Click here for instructions on how to register your school for the program.
• And best of all, joining this program is FREE!

What do we get?

The CIT resources were developed by teachers from some of the most successful school running programs. They are intended to add the little things into your program that will keep your students interested and focused, and excited about their upcoming Manitoba Marathon experience. All materials will be delivered directly to the schools.  You will receive:

• Leader T-Shirts – given to you, the program leader, to wear proudly!
• Milestone Attendance Charts –  track the progress and attendance of children in your running program. Attendance has been shown to be the best predictor of whether a school training program will be successful. Charts can be ordered when you register for the program.
• Champions in Training Achievement Awards Certificates  – to be downloaded, photocopied and distributed to the students.

Ready to Register for Race Weekend?

• For instructions on how your students can register online click here
• For instructions on how to register students with manual registration forms click here
• Still have questions? Click here for FAQ’s
• In-Person Entry Forms  and  Virtual Entry Forms for manual entries. Please note that virtual events are only available for schools that are not planning to or able to attend on race day. Virtual events are not available to the general public.
• Bulk Sheets downloadable for any manual student registration forms (In-Person, Virtual and Relay Teams)
• Special School Pickup Appointments at our office for all your school groups’ Race Day kits.

Important Events!

Jog in the Park – May 7th- This is a great way to kick off to your own program or a practice run for those schools that have started their training. Schools must register for this event. Registration is available online through the CIT registration page, by emailing Sarah at manager@manitobamarathon.mb.ca or by calling us at (204) 415-4517 .

Schedule of events

• 9:30- schools arrive
• 10:15- warm up
• 10:30- run start
• 11:00-snacks and fun
• 11:30- wrap up

View the Jog in the Park course map here

School week Race Kit pickup

Schools can pickup any students race kits who have registered through the school registration site the week of June 8-12th at our office (55 Henlow Bay, Unit 3) by appointment.  Please contact our office for more information. Manitoba Marathon Race Day is on June 21st, 2026.  CIT schools can register for any one of our events through their online profile, and always pay early fees!

What about fund raising?

Runners in the Manitoba Marathon provide a valued community service, by raising funds to support projects for people who live with and intellectual disability. We strongly encourage schools to have volunteers (often a parent group) do the fund raising portion of the program. This has worked very well for many schools in the past. That way, the leader(s) need only be in charge of the training part of the program.