Kicks for CU Kids is an Illinois-based not-for-profit program that provides youth from the greater Champaign-Urbana area with an essential tool to pursue a life of health and fitness. The goal of the organization is to provide professionally-fitted running shoes and running socks to local youth runners who participate through organized running programs in races associated with the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend, held annually in April. Kicks for CU Kids was created to address a gap in opportunity that exists for some youngsters in the Champaign-Urbana area who are underrepresented in the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend, which is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Eligible youth for the running shoe program must be actively enrolled at the school, after-school, or community program applying for the grant, must be participating in your running program, and must participate in either the 5K on Friday, April 24 or Busey Bank Illinois Youth Run on Saturday April 25, 2026.
Complete the 2026 Kicks for CU Kids grant application by downloading the PDF form below:
Donate
Help us put more running shoes and socks on deserving young people in our community.
2025 Grant Recipients
Students from the following schools and programs received running shoes and socks ahead of our 2025 Race Weekend: Bottenfield Elementary School, Carrie Busey Elementary School, Cunningham Children’s Home, DREAAM, International Prep Academy, Oakwood Grade School, READY Program, Robeson Elementary School, and Girls on the Run chapters at Dr. Howard Elementary, Eastlawn Elementary School, Kenwood Elementary School, and Unity West Elementary School.
Program Supporters
Financial support for Kicks for CU Kids provided by Body n’ Sole Sports, Human Kinetics, Serra Champaign, the Village of Savoy, and Second Wind Running Club.
Interested in becoming a sponsor of our Kicks for CU Kids program? Send an email to Lynn Chaney at lynnchaney.illinoismarathon@
