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Hundreds of Connecticut students complete marathon mileage

Tuesday's batch of students is just the latest of more than 22,000 Connecticut students served over the last decade.

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — About 1,500 elementary and middle school students from 25 Connecticut schools laced up their running shoes in New Britain Oct. 29 to finish what they started.

They completed their final mile of a full marathon in Walnut Hill Park, part of a free, youth running program put on by the Hartford Marathon Foundation.

“The program is set up over five weeks. They run a mile every day so that after five weeks, they’ve run 25 miles and then here with us, they run a mile to make it a full marathon,” Josh Miller, president of the Hartford Marathon Foundation, said.

Miller’s organization partners with schools across Connecticut to encourage young people to embrace active lifestyles.

“Our goal is to light a little bit of a fire, give a little bit of a spark so that somewhere in their mentality, they know that walking, running, being active, being healthy is imperative to your health and your every day,” Miller said.

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Student participants said the five-week trek to get here hasn’t been a walk in the park.

“It’s been exciting but hard sometimes because we need breaks,” one fifth grader said.

“The weather is cold so it’s kind of hard to run but it’s kind of easy at the same time because you have other people supporting you,” another student added.

But it’s already switching their competitive spirit in gear.

“It’s really fun. I’m already the fastest one,” one student said.

Though speed isn't measured, it’s the distance that counts. Students received medals for a job complete and taking a new challenge in stride.

“We’re here to celebrate the students and celebrate their achievement with a grand finish line,” Miller said.

A $20,000 dollar grant from Dick’s Sporting Goods helped transport students to Walnut Hill Park.

The “Fit Kids” program has served more than 22,000 Connecticut students over the last decade and is planning its next class for Spring 2025.

Bridgette Bjorlo is an anchor/reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at bbjorlo@fox61.com. Follow her onFacebookX and Instagram.

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