The 2012 Connecticut KiDSMARATHON is Off and Running!

CHESHIRE, CT (April 19, 2012) – The Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) is pleased to announce that its highly acclaimed, school-based fitness and nutrition program, Rod Dixon’s KiDSMARATHON™, is back for its fourth year - and growing! What started in Connecticut four years ago with a mere 150 elementary school students participating, grew to a dramatic 2,000 participants last year. This year’s numbers are expected to be greater than ever, and elementary schools across the state are already gearing up to participate in this spring’s KiDSMARATHON Celebrations!

Developed by Rod Dixon, Olympic Medalist and winner of the 1983 New York City Marathon, KiDSMARATHON is designed as an 8 to 10 week fitness-training program. CAS-member elementary schools administer the program for any number of students in a customized format that FITS IN with a priority to educate the “complete student”. From PE/Health classes to recess, to after-school running clubs, kids of all shapes, sizes, and abilities are encouraged to participate. “We are extremely excited to be able to once again offer this fun and engaging program to our statewide member schools,” stated Dave Maloney, Assistant Executive Director of CAS. “With the growing challenge of childhood-obesity prevention as it pertains to both the health and academic achievement of our youth, we felt the need to implement a program that not only encourages an active, healthy lifestyle, but also inspires kids to experience a tremendous feeling of achievement and empowering self-confidence. KiDSMARATHON, without a doubt, accomplishes these goals as kids discover that Finishing is Winning and Winning is Finishing!”

Throughout the course of the program, participating students from ages 7 to 12 will engage in weekly fitness training while accumulating a personal distance of 25 miles. Each student will train at his or her own pace while enjoying the fitness experience with their fellow students and engaging their family members as well. Students will receive a KiDSMARATHON training guide containing nutritional information, warm up exercises, drills, games, cool-down activities, and much more. At the end of the program all schools and students that participate will join in regional KiDSMARATHON Celebrations, running the final mile of the “marathon” together. They will be cheered on by their teachers, family and friends as they complete their marathon distance and receive their KiDSMARATHON medals and Certificates of Achievement.

Beginning with the 2012 KiDSMARATHON program, CAS is excited to announce a state-wide partnership with the Connecticut Dietetic Association (CDA). Their members will volunteer as “nutrition coaches” at schools, offering tips on balancing calories and physical activity and engaging students in exciting fitness games to support the program’s goal of building healthy active lifestyles. Tina Fox Dugdale, President of CDA states, “Our members are registered dietitians and dietetics technicians, who on an everyday basis enlighten and empower adults and children, individuals and families to better understand that healthy food choices can contribute to wellness for a day, and health for the long term. We are thrilled to be associated with this quality KiDSMARATHON program whereby our members will engage with school champions to teach and role model healthy behaviors to some of the youngest members of our Connecticut population, setting up what we hope will be healthy choices for life”.

Because of its growing popularity, CAS--along with the sponsorship support of Rod Dixon’s KiDSMARATHON Foundation, Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield and Sodexo Food Services--will be hosting a total of five KiDSMARATHON Celebrations this spring. May 12th will be the first KiDSMARATHON celebration at Fairfield Ludlowe High School; May 19th at Cheshire High School; June 2nd at Norwich Free Academy and Danbury High School; and June 9th at Litchfield’s Plum Hill Fields Track. Not only will the students complete their final mile of the marathon at the celebrations, but they will also receive a commemorative medal and KiDSMARATHON t-shirt in recognition of their achievement, as well as their commitment to fitness and healthy eating - and that Finishing is Winning and Winning is Finishing! See http://kidsmarathon-ct.org for more information.

About the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) – The Connecticut Association of Schools serve Connecticut’s K-12 public and parochial schools in all areas of inter- school activity. CAS has emerged as an informed leader in Connecticut’s educational system, providing services to Connecticut’s schools in areas ranging from academics to athletics. The association represents over 1,000 schools in the state. The Connecticut Association of Schools is a 501(c)(3) organization located in Cheshire, Connecticut.

 About the Connecticut Dietetic Association (CDA): The Connecticut Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics serves as the leading advocate of the dietetic profession in Connecticut, serving the public through promotion of optimal nutrition, health, and well-being. Membership includes registered dietitians, registered dietetic technicians, students, and retirees of the profession. Chartered by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, they are committed to serving the public in the state of Connecticut, while supporting activities at the national and international level. For more information visit www.eatrightct.org

About Rod Dixon’s KiDSMARATHON Foundation - Established in 2010 as a 501(c)(3) educational-services public charity and founded by Olympian and NY Marathon winner Rod Dixon, the goal of KiDSMARATHON Foundation is to lay the foundation for lifelong commitment to healthy lifestyle and fitness habits. Its signature program, Rod Dixon’s KiDSMARATHON™, embodies the mission of connecting community-driven resources to create educational experiences that empower kids to make the leap to eating right, being active and having fun in their everyday lives.  The KMF organization provides program development, intellectual capital plus the expertise of top athletes that is motivational to school administrators, community volunteers and the kids themselves.  Rod Dixon and KMF represent energy and success for all students, taking academic achievement of students to an even higher level. For more information about KMF visit http://www.kidsmarathonfoundation.org 

Sound Tigers Finish Regular Season Against Penguins with 3pm Game Today

Sunday, April 15 -- The Bridgeport Sound Tigers will play their last game of the regular season today, Sunday, April 15, at 3pm, against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The 2012 Calder Cup Playoffs start next week.

Check out www.SoundTigers.com for more information.

Sound Tigers Set to Face Whale in First Round of Calder Cup Playoffs, Starting April 19

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (April 14, 2012) - Following Friday night's results in the American Hockey League, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers have clinched home-ice advantage in a first-round playoff series against the Connecticut Whale.

The Sound Tigers will host Game 1 of the best-of-five series on Thursday, April 19 and Game 2 on Saturday, April 21. Both games are scheduled for 7:00 p.m. start times.

The complete series schedule is as follows:

GAME 1 - Thursday, April 19 - SOUND TIGERS vs. Whale - Webster Bank Arena - 7 PM

GAME 2 - Saturday, April 21 - SOUND TIGERS vs. Whale - Webster Bank Arena - 7 PM

GAME 3 - Sunday, April 22 - Sound Tigers at WHALE - XL Center - 5 PM

*GAME 4 - Wednesday, April 25 - Sound Tigers at WHALE - XL Center - 7 PM

*GAME 5 - Saturday, April 28 - SOUND TIGERS vs. Whale - Webster Bank Arena - 7 PM

(* - if necessary)

Individual tickets for Games 1 and 2 of the best-of-five series are on sale now and are available at the Webster Bank Arena Click It Or Ticket Box Office or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased via phone by calling 1-800-745-3000.

Playoff ticket packages for the first-round series against the Whale start at just $32. For more information on how to get your Sound Tigers playoff ticket package, call the front office at (203) 334-GOAL.

Yankees Open at Home Friday, April 13

The New York Yankees 2012 home opener is slated for Friday, April 13 at 1:05 p.m. but fans will want to tune in at Noon to the YES Network, for player introductions and the return of an old friend -- Jorge Posada, who spent his entire 16 year career in pinstripes, will throw out the first pitch. 

The Yankees will host the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and their newly aquired slugger and future hall of famer Albert Pujols.

*photo by Andrew Dominick