Alton's Running Redbirds Complete 26-Week Marathon Challenge

ALTON - The Running Redbirds program at North Elementary School encourages students to read 26 books, complete 26 good deeds, and run 26.2 miles over 26 weeks.

On April 4, 2026, the students finished this year’s program with the 1.2-mile GO! St. Louis race in Forest Park. Jason Chapman, a fifth grade teacher who oversees the Running Redbirds, is proud of his students for their commitment and noted he has seen several former students go on to become runners because of the Running Redbirds group.

“It's good to see that the things we instilled in the ‘Read, Right & Run’ program have kind of carried them through the rest of their lives,” he said. “That's the biggest bonus for me, just seeing them take this lifestyle of running and health and fitness and keeping it going throughout their life.”

This is Chapman’s 20th year directing the Running Redbirds at Alton Community Unit School District #11. When he learned of the GO! St. Louis Read, Right & Run program for elementary students, he was eager to share it with his kids in Alton.

In September, Chapman encouraged students to sign up for the program. They practiced throughout the school year, running miles after school and building up their endurance and speed.

Students read on their own time and tracked their books. They aimed to hit 26 books before the marathon in April.

They were also asked to complete 26 good deeds. Chapman explained to them that a good deed is “something you do, not something you have to do,” so chores don’t count.

But kids enjoyed finding ways to help around the house or give back to the community by holding doors, babysitting family members, and more. The group will occasionally complete a project together, too, to further their impact.

On April 4, the students traveled to Forest Park to run the final 1.2 miles of their 26.2-mile goal in the GO! St. Louis Read, Right & Run Marathon. Elementary students from across the Greater St. Louis region participated despite the rainy weather.

Chapman is proud of his kids for their determination to finish the challenge. He expressed his gratitude to the Running Redbirds program and the Alton Community Unit School District #11 for their support.

“GO! St. Louis is really big on getting families motivated and the community motivated into health and fitness,” he explained. “That is just an extension of what they do in St. Louis that I just brought over here into the Alton School District.”

North Elementary School will offer the Running Redbirds program once again starting in September. Chapman hopes many of the participating kids will go on to run track or cross country in middle school. He believes the program is a great way to instill healthy habits and encourage good deeds for all kids.

This Featured Article is sponsored by Alton Community Unit School District #11. To get your business or organization featured on www.Riverbender.com, contact us at sales@riverbender.com.

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