(by John McKenna) Runner Rod Dixon returns to promote fitness for kids A sure sign of spring locally is the sight of running legend Rod Dixon making the rounds at elementary schools to promote his Kids Marathon program, and stressing the importance of physical activity and healthy eating habits. Dixon, winner of the 1983 New York City Marathon and a bronze medalist in the 1,500 meters in the 1972 Summer Olympics, visited East School and Forbes School on Friday to help students get thei...
April 15, 2015 12:00 am
It's no joke, KiDSMARATHON training is in full swing on both coasts! The West Coast Community Magazine highlighted the Chino Hills program where Rod visited recently. Rod Dixon, Olympic medalist, New York City Marathon champion, and Kiwi (New Zealander), created KiDSMARATHON for elementary school students from 4th through 6th grades, in an effort to educate children of the importance of physical activity and healthy eating.
April 1, 2015 12:00 am
(by John McKenna) LITCHFIELD — On a perfect late-spring morning Saturday, about 500 local elementary school students finished what they started back in April. They did so on the track at Plumb Hill Playing Fields in the grand finale of Kids Marathon, a fitness program founded by former world class runner Rod Dixon in his native New Zealand in 1990. Students from Litchfield, Warren, Morris, Goshen, Torrington, Sherman and Washington, along with many of their teachers, ran one mile to conclude the...
June 10, 2014 12:00 am
Rod with Mayor Neil O'Leary and his staff The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) selected Waterbury, Connecticut's Mayor Neil O'Leary and the KidsMarathon Program as the winners of the 2014 Childhood Obesity Prevention Awards, during its 82nd Winter Meeting in Washington, DC. The awards went to cities with outstanding programs that encourage healthy weight through balanced diet choices and regular physical activity. (via US Conference of Mayors) The grant will support...
June 7, 2014 12:00 am
(via Waterbury Observer) Rod Dixon, an Olympic medalist from New Zealand and 1983 New York City Marathon winner had tears in his eyes tonight as he took in the swarm of 1,607 kids that had poured into Library Park to finish the final mile of The Rod Dixon Kid's Marathon. The kids were all buzzing with anticipation and lit up when the Olympian paid a visit to each group to pep them up. They peppered him with questions about his fasted mile time and how old was he when he started to run.
June 5, 2014 12:00 am
A screenshot from Rod Dixon's phone. His 3 miles this morning were definitely part of the final mile in hitting our goal of 10,000 in the month of May! 36 hours to spare.
June 2, 2014 12:00 am
In 1976 Rod Dixon was an Olympic runner for New Zealand and was chosen to carry the Kiwi flag into the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada. A shoulder injury kept Dixon from actually carrying the flag, and he came in 4th place in one of the most dramatic 5000 meter races in history. Thirty eight years later Rod Dixon had the opportunity to carry the New Zealand flag through the streets of Waterbury during a parade Saturday morning at The Gathering.
May 29, 2014 12:00 am
250 KiDSMARATHON students, along with their Mentors and Coaches walked in the parade in support of the Waterbury KiDSMARATHON program. Governor Malloy gave his support and congratulations to the office of Mayor O'Leary for the success of the program. 1650 KiDS are currently signed up and "in training" for the June 4th Final Mile Celebration! To the left: KiDSMARATHON Rod Dixon with Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy at the City of Waterbury Parade Saturday, May 17th.
May 18, 2014 12:00 am
Global performance running footwear and apparel brand Saucony and the Saucony Run for Good Foundation, established to help combat childhood obesity by providing financial support to community-based youth running programs, have announced KiDSMARATHON as it's grant recipient for the month of May! Download the app http://run4good.saucony.com/ Run your miles and earn funds for Rod Dixon's KiDSMARATHON Foundation! Also, if the app records 10,000 miles for the KiDSMARATHON Foundation in the mont...
May 1, 2014 12:00 am
