By Nacogdoches Miller

Sun Intern

An overcast afternoon and threatening showers couldn’t keep a group of young athletes from trekking away.

Runners under the supervision of John Wilson met on the track and field of Campbell Junior High School for a couple hours Thursday to exercise, make friends and knock out some miles in their 26.2-mile quest to complete a marathon distance by summer’s end.

Wilson started the Winchester Marathon Kids to give youth in the area a healthy alternative to being inside all day and an opportunity to make new friends.

“There’s been a lot of kids that just didn’t know each other, and they have become friends just over the last three weeks,” Wilson said.

With summer just beginning, Wilson encourages anyone 16 or younger to join the challenge, which runs until Aug. 1.

Wilson will recognize those who complete the marathon with a medal during the first football game of the year.

The runner who goes the furthest above and beyond the 26.2-miles required will receive a $100 gift card to Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Rebecca Upperman, a mother of one of the runners, said they stumbled into the program and have been coming back ever since.

“Nobody has to pay anything; nobody has to do anything to prep, all they (have to) do is show up, have fun and enjoy summer together,” Upperman said.

The group will continue to meet at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays for the rest of the summer.

For more information on the group or to learn how to join, visit their Facebook page, Winchester Marathon Kids.