GLASTONBURY, CT – On Tuesday, March 18 students and staff from Buttonball Lane Elementary School in Glastonbury will celebrate the official kickoff of their first KiDSMARATHON with a pep rally at 3:30 pm in the school gymnasium. Immediately following the pep rally approximately 150 students along with 20 staff members will attempt to run the first mile of the KiDSMARATHON together. Sponsored by CAS, the KiDSMARATHON program is an 8 to 12 week training program that enables kids to complete a full marathon by running or walking incremental distances each week. Throughout the course of the program, participating students work to accumulate 25 miles each, and then join other area schools participating in the program to complete the final mile of the marathon together.

Kent Hurlburt, principal at Buttonball stated, “As a person who enjoys all the benefits of running, I am extremely eager to participate in this exciting initiative with staff and students at Buttonball Lane School.”

Initiatives that promote health and wellness for both staff and students are a priority at Buttonball. Some of the programs already in place include a student jump rope team of 100 jumpers; Kid Fitness Clubs for students; a staff fitness training/boot camp; Wednesday Warm-ups; Morning Meditation for staff at various times throughout the year; and, The Healthy Challenge offered to all staff to promote overall mental, emotional, and physical health. These programs not only promote health and wellness, but together they have helped to create a unique sense of unity and school spirit for both the students and staff at Buttonball.

“Buttonball is a very health conscious school,” commented Michelle Hespeler, Buttonball Physical Education Teacher. “Our staff and students participate in many wellness programs throughout the school year. The CAS KiDSMARATHON is a perfect way to bring our community together in a healthy and fun way!”

CAS first piloted the KiDSMARATHON program in Connecticut 5 years ago with a mere 7 schools and 150 students participating. Last year, the program grew statewide to include close to 2,500 elementary school students; and this year it is expected to grow to over 3,000.

Click here to find out how to join the KiDSMARATHON program!