On Monday, Team for Kids had its final pre-marathon group training run. As they have every Monday evening since June, "Team Green" gathered with their coaches in Central Park, ready to run. Over the months these Monday workouts have included lots of hard stuff--hills, tempo, intervals.

But tonight was, in Coach Tony Ruiz's words, a "no-pressure" run. "The hay is in the barn," he told his charges, who were joined by half a dozen speedy-looking kids from the Rabbits Club USA, one of the many running programs supported by TFK's fund-raising efforts.  

TFK provides its members with world-class coaching, great camaraderie, and lots of race-day perks. The team is aiming to raise $4 million this year in the fight against childhood obesity. So give them a cheer on race-day--and next year, think about joining Team Green yourself.

What is Team for Kids? If you have to ask, you probably weren't at the Poland Spring Marathon Kickoff, where dozens of "Team Green" runners brightened the course. The TFK runners were not only highly visible, they also had the best cheering section--including head coach Frank Handelman in his lizard costume (green, of course). Sorry I don't have a picture of that, but how about this shot of TFK member Markus Marty--Team Green plus early Halloween.

TFK coach Gail Kislevitz says this about the TFK Class of 2009: "This is our best team yet. They have come together as a true family. And they love to party!" Check back later in the week, when we report from several pre-marathon TFK events.