Nikolas is a highly spirited, passionate, adventurous, bright and happy kid who puts 100% into all things physical. He discovered his love for running when he began to run with his dad - his greatest inspiration! Nikolas ran his first 5k when he was only five years old, mostly on his dad's shoulders. At age six, he ran his first race solely on his own two feet and hasn't stopped running since.
Nikolas's dad, who has run many marathons, began to train for the Air Force Reserves a few years ago. Nikolas decided to train with him, and now they run together (well, actually Nikolas is a little ahead) about five days a week. Though Nikolas is always in front, he has declared that his dad is “the best coach ever!”
Now at age ten, he has completed many racing events with distances spanning from 1/4 mile to completing marathons (at age nine)! His goal is to complete a marathon on each of the seven continents - and he may very well be the youngest runner to accomplish this! At age nine, Nikolas has launched his very own philanthropic campaign called “Running the World for Children.” This campaign will raise money for a non-profit organization called Operation Warm, whose mission is to provide new winter coats to children living in need - so that every child wearing a new winter coat feels warm, valued and able to attend school on even the coldest of winter days, healthy, full of pride, and ready to learn!
Enjoying both road and trail running, Nikolas often strays off the beaten path when he's training - literally! He can’t run in a straight line, even when there is some form of pathway - if you’re behind him, you can watch him kicking rocks and grass, jumping in the occasional stream, and in winter, climbing up the largest snow mound. His favorite running weather? The extremes- snow or sleet, rain or over one hundred degrees, of course! According to Nikolas, the worse the weather, the more fun the workout. Why would you run when it’s nice outside, he wonders - that’s more of a time for playing baseball, football, golf, or street hockey (he loves these sports too!). He can’t wait for his chance to run in hail - but his mother has informed him that he’ll be wearing a helmet when the time comes!
Nikolas is also an active participant in track & field competitions, held by both the USATF Junior Olympics and the American Athletic Union (AAU). He has achieved metals in numerous events including 1500m run, shot-put, and high jump. In 2011, Nikolas also began to compete in race walking. Immediately loving and excelling at the sport, he is now a two-time All American National Champion in Race Walking and currently holds the fastest time in the United States for this year in his age group!
Nikolas's idea to run a marathon on each of the seven continents was born of conversations and discoveries about marathon running and the different types of climates around the world. This fascinated him and he declared his desire to complete "Seven on Seven." The Seven Continents Club is a club for people who love to travel and run, and relish the challenge of both distance and varied terrains - like Nikolas does. This group supports people who want to run a marathon on all seven continents of our world… and Nikolas is an official member of the club! He completed his first marathon in Delaware on December 1, 2012! And on February 27, 2013, he completed the Antarctic White Continent Marathon. Based on available records, it is believed that he is the youngest person to ever attempt this feat!
On this journey, it is Nikolas's hope that he can make a positive difference in the lives of children his own age. That's why he is running for a cause. Operation Warm is a non-profit organization started by Nikolas’s grandfather. Nikolas has grown up realizing the importance of helping people who may be less fortunate. He has learned first-hand the huge difference a winter coat can make. It is his hope that his efforts in -"Running the World for Children"- coupled with Operation Warm’s mission can help many children in our nation.
Nikolas Toocheck - one boy taking one million steps (about the number of steps it takes to complete seven marathons) - raising one dollar for each step - to help children in need.
Nikolas's dad, who has run many marathons, began to train for the Air Force Reserves a few years ago. Nikolas decided to train with him, and now they run together (well, actually Nikolas is a little ahead) about five days a week. Though Nikolas is always in front, he has declared that his dad is “the best coach ever!”
Now at age ten, he has completed many racing events with distances spanning from 1/4 mile to completing marathons (at age nine)! His goal is to complete a marathon on each of the seven continents - and he may very well be the youngest runner to accomplish this! At age nine, Nikolas has launched his very own philanthropic campaign called “Running the World for Children.” This campaign will raise money for a non-profit organization called Operation Warm, whose mission is to provide new winter coats to children living in need - so that every child wearing a new winter coat feels warm, valued and able to attend school on even the coldest of winter days, healthy, full of pride, and ready to learn!
Enjoying both road and trail running, Nikolas often strays off the beaten path when he's training - literally! He can’t run in a straight line, even when there is some form of pathway - if you’re behind him, you can watch him kicking rocks and grass, jumping in the occasional stream, and in winter, climbing up the largest snow mound. His favorite running weather? The extremes- snow or sleet, rain or over one hundred degrees, of course! According to Nikolas, the worse the weather, the more fun the workout. Why would you run when it’s nice outside, he wonders - that’s more of a time for playing baseball, football, golf, or street hockey (he loves these sports too!). He can’t wait for his chance to run in hail - but his mother has informed him that he’ll be wearing a helmet when the time comes!
Nikolas is also an active participant in track & field competitions, held by both the USATF Junior Olympics and the American Athletic Union (AAU). He has achieved metals in numerous events including 1500m run, shot-put, and high jump. In 2011, Nikolas also began to compete in race walking. Immediately loving and excelling at the sport, he is now a two-time All American National Champion in Race Walking and currently holds the fastest time in the United States for this year in his age group!
Nikolas's idea to run a marathon on each of the seven continents was born of conversations and discoveries about marathon running and the different types of climates around the world. This fascinated him and he declared his desire to complete "Seven on Seven." The Seven Continents Club is a club for people who love to travel and run, and relish the challenge of both distance and varied terrains - like Nikolas does. This group supports people who want to run a marathon on all seven continents of our world… and Nikolas is an official member of the club! He completed his first marathon in Delaware on December 1, 2012! And on February 27, 2013, he completed the Antarctic White Continent Marathon. Based on available records, it is believed that he is the youngest person to ever attempt this feat!
On this journey, it is Nikolas's hope that he can make a positive difference in the lives of children his own age. That's why he is running for a cause. Operation Warm is a non-profit organization started by Nikolas’s grandfather. Nikolas has grown up realizing the importance of helping people who may be less fortunate. He has learned first-hand the huge difference a winter coat can make. It is his hope that his efforts in -"Running the World for Children"- coupled with Operation Warm’s mission can help many children in our nation.
Nikolas Toocheck - one boy taking one million steps (about the number of steps it takes to complete seven marathons) - raising one dollar for each step - to help children in need.
