On January 23, 2014, Waterbury won the Childhood Obesity Prevention Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C. 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 Kid’s Marathon Program with the Rod Dixon Kid’s Marathon 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 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.

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