On January 23, 2014, Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary accepted a first place award at the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) for the city’s KiDSMARATHON Program. The Conference, held in Washington D.C., gave six awards to mayors of cities with outstanding programs that encourage healthy weight through balanced diet choices and regular physical activity.

The grant awards were divided into small, medium and large city categories, with first place and second place awards given in each category. In the medium city category, Mayor O’Leary and the city of Waterbury were recognized with the first place award for their collaborative efforts on launching the KiDSMARATHON Program with the Rod Dixon KiDSMARATHON Foundation.

The $120,000 grant will support the 2014 Kid’s Marathon Program, a partnership between the YMCA, City of Waterbury, Department of Education, Boys and Girls Club, Police Activity League (PAL) and Connecticut Association of Schools, aimed at introducing the sport of running to youth ages 7-12, over a 12-week period and at no charge to the participants. [MORE]