Kevin Hart is no stranger to running marathons. He ran the 2017 New York City Marathon in just over four hours. However, he’s taking it up a notch in 2018, and not just by tackling another 26.2-mile course.
The 39-year-old comedian announced on his Instagram page Thursday that he will be running the Chicago Marathon to raise money so more kids can attend college.
“I told you guys I put a purpose behind the run. In other words, there’s a meaning, there’s a definition, there’s a reason,” Hart said while wearing running gear.
“The reason behind this run is simply first and foremost personal greatness, personal achievement but also what I can bring awareness to, what I can raise money for education!”
Along with charter school network KIPP and the United Negro College Fund, Hart launched a $600,000 scholarship fund in August to enable 18 students to attend historically black colleges and universities.
“I told you I’m into the new thing of sending kids to school. That’s my new thing, my new hobby,” he said. “I sent 18 kids to school so now the goal is to make that number more. That goal is to get that number to 40. After 40, 80, after 80, 150.
“Your boy is about to do big things – and the big thing starts October 7 with the value and the purpose behind my run,” he said.
Hart has really embedded himself in the sport. He recently partnered with Nike to host pop-up 5Ks across America to motivate people to get moving.
“We want to be global, we want to show that running can bring people together all over the world, and regardless of where you are, you can do it,”he told Men’s Journal.
Hart only started running in his 30s to offset the high demands of his job.
“I knew running was a great way to take care of myself,” he told Runner’s World. “Now when I land in a new city every morning, I literally hit the ground running.”
And now he’s helping students so they can hit the ground running in the real world.