Photos by Steve McLaughlin Photography
Gathered for their portrait on the parking lot at Rentschler Field are the kids from grades 4 and 5 at McAlister who topped off a five-week special fitness program there on November 2.
On Thursday, November 2, more than 1,800 students from 39 schools across Connecticut participated in HMF FitKids in School “Medal Day”- the culmination of weeks of training supported by the Hartford Marathon Foundation. Students from McAlister Intermediate School participated in the event.
Now in its 10th year, the free program for students in grades 4-8 has served more than 15,000 students, encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle through running. Students participated in a 5-week training program throughout the fall, then completed their final mile run at Thursday’s celebration in Rentschler Field. They earned medals to commemorate their weeks of hard work.
This exciting and high-energy event featured music, announcers and spectators cheering the kids on as they ran. After the race, students enjoyed the World of Fitness Expo with interactive fitness stations including an obstacle course, hula hooping, yoga and HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training).
Transportation, snacks and hats were provided free to participating schools through the support of HMF FitKids in School sponsors, including the Aetna Foundation, United Bank Foundation Connecticut, Newman’s Own Foundation, and Mountain Dairy as well as individual donations from the running community.
Photos by Steve McLaughlin Photography
Unidentified youngsters start out on their final mile run in the HMF FitKids program. (HMF is the Hartford Marathon Foundation.)