WATERBURY -- An annual event that thousands of kids across the state look forward to has officially begun.
The Rod Dixon Kids Marathon, named after the olympic athlete, is a 12-week program that encourages kids to eat right, get exercise, and think positive.
"It allows them to take ownership of something," said Jason Martinez of the Kids Marathon Foundation. "Each day the kids come out and relationships are formed when they run, we're bringing the community in together. Every elementary school in Waterbury is participating in this program."
The program has chapters across the country and organizers praise Waterbury's leadership for helping the program grow to include thousands of kids.