Waterbury CT and KiDSMARATHON Win $120,000 USCM Grant!!

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 the 2014 Kids Marathon program, collaboration between the YMCA, City of Waterbury,
Department of Education, Boys and Girls Club, and the Police Activity League (PAL) aimed at
Introducing the sport of running to youth ages 7 – 12, over a 12-week period and at no charge to the participants.
Based on a comprehensive analysis of the city’s environmental factors, the program is designed to target the city’s
youth who are at greatest risk of obesity, and lacking physical activity and good nutritional habits. The young
athletes run 1-2 miles, two or three times per week, completing a cumulative 26.2 mile marathon. 438 student
athletes participated in the first Kids Marathon program in 2013; in 2014 the City of Waterbury aims to expose
1,500 student athletes to the sport of running, while encouraging physical activity as a lifestyle, along with the
importance of good nutrition and healthy habits.

We surpassed our goal with a grand total of 1607 student-athletes! Congratulations to Rod Dixon, Mayor O’Leary, his staff, and the city of Waterbury, CT on this outstanding achievement. Never stop running!

Full description of cities and list of winners »