On Tuesday, October 30, more than 1,900 students from 35 schools across Connecticut participated in the HMF FitKids in School Final Mile event- the culmination of weeks of training supported by the Hartford Marathon Foundation. One hundred forty-seven students from McAlister Intermediate School participated in the event.
Now in its 11th year, the free program for students in elementary and middle school has served more than 18,000 students, encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle through running. Students participated in a six-week training program throughout the fall, then completed their final mile run at Tuesday’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 dancing, hula hooping and yoga.
Transportation, snacks and shirts 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, Carry My Brother, Inc., Mountain Dairy, PopCorners, Cabot Creamery, Karn Couzens & Associates, Inc and through individual donations from the running community.