Press Releases

Marathon Project coordinator thrilled with first year

by Pete Colaizzo, November 29, 2007

Marathon Project coordinator Susanne O'Neil said she was pleased with the program's inaugural season.

"It was a fantastic learning and life changing experience for all who were involved," she said. "The race was well-organized and the running community was very supportive. I cannot express enough that this initiative would not exist without the dedication of its volunteer mentors from Poughkeepsie and Beacon, our funding resources, the Council on Addiction Prevention and Education staff that work tirelessly in our mission to educate our county on prevention, the Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club and our wonderful community.''

The Marathon Project is a innovative distance running program that pairs adult mentors with at-risk youth in the Poughkeepsie and Beacon City School Districts, as well as the county Department of Probation. In 2008, The North East Community Center in Millerton and The Poughkeepsie Children's Home will also be involved in the program. The Marathon Project is an after-school training program that aims to reduce risk factors such as childhood obesity, school drop out and substance abuse.

The Marathon Project provides opportunities for students to set and achieve goals, explore avenues for character development, improve health, and build positive student/adult relationships through mentoring. For more information or to get involved next season, call the CAPE office at 845-471-0194 or log onto www.mhrrc.org.