Healthy Kids Running Series

What Healthy Kids Running Series does

Healthy Kids Running Series (HKRS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates a five-week youth running program for children ages 2-14 across 35+ U.S. states. The program is structured into age-based divisions from Pre-K through High School, including a Challenger Division for children with disabilities, and uses a points-based scoring system culminating in awards. Local race operations are managed by volunteer community coordinators under a national framework, with 160+ active race locations as of Spring 2026 and cumulative participation of more than 50,000 children over 15 years of operation.

The product surface is built around a single core offering, the HKRS Race Series, supplemented by a Challenger Division for children with disabilities, training videos hosted on Google Drive, a Kids Corner content section, a Flavor Dash branded engagement product, and an online merchandise store at hkrsstore.com. Technology infrastructure is intentionally lightweight: registration runs on the third-party RunSignUp platform, the public site is a standard WordPress build, and distribution is driven by organic social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube), email newsletter, blog content, and word-of-mouth rather than paid acquisition. Financial access is supported by a Registration Assistance scholarship fund aligned with the Federal Child Nutrition Program, plus seven targeted underserved-community programs offering discounted registration.

Revenue mechanics are diversified across three streams: per-season and single-day race registration fees paid by parents, local and national sponsorships (notably Musselman's, Giant Food Stores, and the USATF Foundation), and donations funding the Registration Assistance program. The organization operates with a small staff of 1-10 employees from a national office in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, with operational linkage to Pattison Sports Group via its shared email domain. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; fees are subsidized through donations and partners for underserved programs, and 25% of Spring 2023 races received at least one assistance request, signaling meaningful dependence on charitable subsidy to maintain access for low-income participants.

Name

Healthy Kids Running Series

Legal name

Healthy Kids Running Series

Website

https://healthykidsrunningseries.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Healthy Kids Running Series is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates a five-week youth running program for children ages 2-14 across 160+ locations in 35+ U.S. states, delivered through a volunteer community coordinator model and funded by registration fees, sponsorships, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Running Programs

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Road Running Events (Marathons, Half Marathons, 10K/5K) (MPAKAIAA)

Keywords

• Youth running programs
• Youth fitness programs
• Community race events
• Youth athletics programs
• Youth physical activity

Headquarters

HQ city

Thornton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Race Registration Fees: Parents pay registration fees for their children to participate in the five-week running series. Single day race registration is also available. Fees cover race bibs, runner shirts while supplies last, and awards.
2. Sponsorships: Local and national businesses sponsor races, providing financial support in exchange for brand visibility to families and communities.
3. Donations: Donations support the Registration Assistance fund which provides scholarships for families in need, particularly those eligible for Federal Child Nutrition Program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Healthy Kids Running Series operates a five-week community-based youth running program for children ages 2-14 across 160+ race locations spanning 35 U.S. states. Races are organized into age-appropriate divisions from Pre-K through High School, with a Challenger Division providing inclusive access for children with disabilities. The program uses a points-based seasonal scoring system with race bibs, runner shirts, and awards, delivered through volunteer community coordinators with registration processed via the RunSignUp third-party platform.

Product overview

Healthy Kids Running Series operates a single core product—the HKRS Race Series—a 5-week youth running program serving children ages 2-14 across 35 states. The program is organized into age-based divisions (Pre-K through High School, plus a Challenger Division for children with disabilities) and uses a points-based scoring system. The offering is complemented by supporting products: Training Videos hosted on Google Drive, the Flavor Dash brand, a Kids Corner activity section, and an online HKRS Store. The organization also provides financial access through Registration Assistance (scholarships) and Underserved Community Programs offering discounted registration at seven locations. Race operations use third-party registration platforms (RunSignUp) and include ancillary resources such as parent checklists and stretching guides.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HKRS Race Series Core five-week youth running program for children ages 2-14, organized into age-based divisions from Pre-K through High School. Each weekly race uses age-appropriate distances ranging from 50-yard dashes to 2-mile runs, with a points-based seasonal scoring system and trophies/awards based on cumulative performance. Registration is non-transferable and non-refundable.
• Challenger Division Distinct inclusive race division within the HKRS Race Series designed for children with disabilities. Participants can complete a 75-yard dash or other distances based on individual needs, ensuring accessible competition for children whose abilities fall outside the standard age-based divisions.
• Registration Assistance Financial support program offering full and partial scholarships for HKRS race registration fees, specifically targeted at families in need and children eligible for the Federal Child Nutrition Program free or reduced lunch program. Requestors have a median household income of $25K-$35K.
• Underserved Community Programs Discounted HKRS registration programs serving seven specific underserved U.S. communities, with registration fees subsidized through donations and partner organizations to remove financial barriers to youth running participation.
• Flavor Dash Branded offering within the HKRS ecosystem, featured alongside the Race Series as part of the organization's suite of branded products and experiences engaging kids and families.
• HKRS Store Online merchandise storefront at hkrsstore.com selling HKRS-branded apparel and products to race participants, supporters, and community members.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50,000+ children served
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Musselman'scoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational sponsor of Healthy Kids Running Series. Musselman's promotes the program through their website with 50% rebate offers to HKRS participants.
• Giant Food StorescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional sponsor and partner of Healthy Kids Running Series. Giant Food Stores supports the program in their service areas.
• USATF FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSA Track & Field Foundation is a national partner supporting youth running through HKRS. Provides foundation support for the youth running initiative.
• Federal Child Nutrition ProgramcoreOthersRegistration Assistance fund targets children eligible for Federal Child Nutrition Program for free or reduced lunch fees, creating partnership alignment with federal nutrition programs.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• USA Track & Field: The national governing body for track and field and a HKRS national partner. Comparable as the broader institutional authority overseeing youth running development, events, and competitions that HKRS taps into.
• Pop Warner Little Scholars: A national nonprofit youth football and cheerleading organization with age- and weight-based divisions operated by local volunteers. Comparable to HKRS through its nonprofit structure, youth focus, age-based divisions, and volunteer-driven local chapters.
• Little League International: The largest youth sports organization in the world, organizing baseball and softball leagues for children. Comparable as a community-based, volunteer-run nonprofit offering structured youth athletics with age divisions and local coordinators.
• Road Runners Club of America: The national association for running clubs and events in the United States. Comparable to HKRS as the umbrella organization supporting community-based road running and youth running initiatives nationwide, including programs analogous to HKRS.

Emerging players

• National Scholastic Athletics Foundation: A nonprofit that supports high school track and field through meets, showcases, and recognition. Adjacent to HKRS as a youth-athletics nonprofit in the running and track-and-field space, though focused on elite high-school competition rather than introductory running programs.
• Backyard Sports: A youth-sports operator that runs multi-sport camps and clinics for children in local communities. Comparable to HKRS through its community-based youth sports programming and instructor-led local delivery model.

Direct peers

• Students Run LA: A nonprofit that trains Los Angeles-area students to complete the LA Marathon, combining mentorship and running. Comparable to HKRS through its nonprofit, youth-focused running mission and structured multi-month training progression leading to a culminating event.
• Girls on the Run: A national nonprofit 501(c)(3) that runs a multi-week, age-divided running and life-skills program for girls in elementary and middle school. Closely comparable to HKRS in nonprofit structure, curriculum-style multi-week format, age divisions, and local-council volunteer delivery model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HealthyKidsRS
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZbr-uAjtguSqSrSsh8pA4g
• Facebookfacebook.com/HealthyKidsRunning
• Instagraminstagram.com/HealthyKidsRS

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Healthy Kids Running Series