The Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon and Providence Athletic Medicine have developed an unusual program for Detroit children as part of this year's events.

KidMILES gets its name from "mentoring interest in living and eating smart." The five-month program for fourth- and fifth-grade students will take place at Butzel Elementary/Middle School. The location was picked as a pilot site partly because of its facilities, proximity to the race course, enthusiastic students, parents and teachers and the presence of a school-based clinic operated by St. John Health.

The program is designed to increase students' awareness of healthy eating and lifestyle choices in an effort to decrease their risk of becoming overweight as teens and adults. Research has shown that children are at risk for unhealthy lifestyles and obesity. Detroit ranks near the top in obesity rates.

Students will be divided into small groups with mentors, who will be preparing for the Oct. 5 marathon. The mentors will provide information and motivation for increasing students' interest in exercise and healthy eating. The mentors can share training experiences, and the hope is that they will become role models.

In addition, special events will be conducted at the school twice monthly on Saturdays. The events will include interactive talks on healthy eating and food choices, types of exercise and injury and disease prevention. Detroit area athletes and celebrities, including the mentors, will lead the kids in a fun-filled exercise such as soccer, pickup basketball or running, with incentives for those participating.

Students will track their activity and diet through use of diaries, to be discussed and reviewed periodically for progress.

A pasta dinner with some of the marathon's elite runners is planned for Oct. 4 at the Detroit Athletic Club. The program will culminate with the students' participation in the Compuware 5K fun run/walk Oct. 5, the day of the marathon. The kids then can cheer on their mentor as he or she crosses the finish line in the marathon, and they can celebrate their success with a party that's planned.

The program will kick off Saturday at Butzel and continue through race day. It will be run by staff from the marathon, Providence Athletic Medicine and St. John Health, including a number of volunteers from each organization.

KidMILES still is looking for mentors willing to work with students and share their enthusiasm for pursuing a healthy lifestyle. Mentors don't need to be at the kickoff, but should plan to attend a few of the Saturday events and be willing to talk with the students about their training regimens and experiences.

Those interested can get more information or sign up by contacting mentor coordinator Martha Cervenak at 248-854-5426.

COMING UP: Mark your calendars: Two new running events in Michigan are planned for this summer.

June 21 will feature the Galyan's Northville Solstice Run at 7:45 a.m. Call 248-349-0203.

On Aug. 30 will be the Standard Federal Detroit Jazz Fest four-miler at 8:30 a.m. Call 734-591-0666.