How did SoleKIDs get started?

In the fall of 2012, an elementary assistant principal in Lexington, South Carolina was looking for an all inclusive running program for students. He reached out to a local youth sports organization for help. The director of that organization, Coach Jesse, was an avid cross-country runner/coach. In January 2013, Coach Jon was an assistant principal at White Knoll Elementary in Lexington, South Carolina and learned of and immediately fell in love with the running program. Since 2013, Coach Jon and Coach Jamie have been involved with making running a part of students lives. In 2016, Coach Jon and Jamie moved to Boise, Idaho and with the help of Coach Jesse, began SoleKIDs almost immediately. SoleKIDs was founded in March 2017 with 3 schools and 36 kids. By race day, the program had expanded to 4 schools with 74 participants. Since 2017, SoleKIDs has expanded to over 20 schools throughout the Treasure Valley and had thousands of runners cross the SoleKIDs finish lines. In the Spring of 2020, Coach Kamille began a SoleKIDs program in the Seattle area in the Northshore School District at Cottage Lake Elementary.

Our Mission

Our volunteers are devoted to the development of better communities by empowering all youth to live happy, healthy and full lives.

Our Mantra

I AM BRAVE
I AM STRONG
I AM SMART
I AM KIND

Our Direction

SoleKIDs is geared towards elementary students and is designed to uniquely fit each school. We would love to support you grow your healthy community. We are always looking for like-minded people who want to grow a community of runners. If you’d like more information about starting a SoleKIDs program at your school or in your area, please contact jonathan@solekids.org.

Our Coaches

The strength of our program is our coaches. Who are they other than being superheroes out there in your community. See below!!