Kids Lace Up Their Sneakers for YMCA Walk-A-Thon At Martinsville Speedway

Friday morning at Martinsville Speedway was filled with kid power, not horsepower.

More than 200 children age four to 12 walked two laps around the half-mile oval as part of the Sixth Annual Martinsville-Henry County Family YMCA Walk-A-Thon.

"The kids love coming out here walking around the track," said Brad Kinkema, executive director of the Martinsville-Henry County Family YMCA. "They know not many people can say they did it."

While the mile walk was fun and healthy for the excited, but well-behaved group of kids, it was also practical for the YMCA Daycare students. Each year the proceeds from the walk go toward covering the cost of a major summer-ending field trip. This year's trip is to Natural Bridge.

"Every year we do one great field trip. The whole trip is fairly expensive and the walk helps cover the cost of the charter buses and tickets," explained Kinkema

Kinkema said the children obtained sponsorship from family, friends and neighbors. "The goal is that the kids don't have to worry about the expense when it comes time to go," Kinkema said.

Any funds left after paying for the Natural Bridge trip will be used to purchase back-to-school supplies for children in need.

Horsepower, the NASCAR Sprint Cup kind, returns to Martinsville Speedway October 27 with the running of the Goody'sTM Headache Relief ShotTM 500 Powered by Kroger.

Advance tickets for the Goody'sTM Headache Relief ShotTM 500 Powered by Kroger start at just $37.

Advance tickets for the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Saturday, Oct. 26 are just $30 with youth 12 and under admitted free. Tickets for Pole Day, Friday, Oct. 25, are $15. To purchase tickets for the Goody'sTM Headache Relief ShotTM 500 Powered by Kroger weekend, call 877.RACE.TIX or visit www.martinsvillespeedway.com.