A passionate man, Rod Dixon implored students at North End Middle School in Waterbury to fully participate in the KiDSMARATHON program, and to bring the message of activity and health back into their homes.

Rod Dixon, Mayor Neil O’Leary Help Launch Kid’s Marathon In Waterbury
Published by the Waterbury Observer, 03/28/2014 – 08:15 AM
Written by John Murray

Long-distance running legend, Rod Dixon, of New Zealand, was back in Waterbury Thursday morning to help kick-off the second year of his KiDSMARATHON running program in the city. Dixon won the bronze medal in the 1500 meter run at the 1972 Olympics, was a World Champion cross-country runner, and the winner of the 1983 NYC Marathon. Now 63, Dixon has dedicated his life to bringing his passion of running and healthy living to elementary and middle school students in California and Connecticut. In time, Dixon hopes his KiDSMARATHON program spreads across America.

City Clerk Michael Dalton, an avid runner, was instrumental in recruiting Dixon to bring his program to the city, and last year more than 500 Waterbury students completed the program by running the final 1.2 miles at Crosby High School. The program lasts between 8-10 weeks and is supervised in school. The kids, mostly 7-12, run about three miles a week as they try to rack up a total of 26.2 miles (the distance of a marathon).

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