Press Coverage

Marathon Project, Year 2

by Pete Colaizzo - February 21, 2008

After a successful debut, The Marathon Project enters its second year with some additions and improvements - but with the same goal of improving the lives of this area's youths. Project coordinator Susanne O'Neil deserves a lot of credit for merging two worlds - The Council on Addiction Prevention and Eduction of Dutchess County, where she works, and the Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club.

Here is how O'Neil describes the project's past, present and future: "The Marathon Project is an innovative distance running program that pairs adult mentors with at-risk youth ages twelve through eighteen within the Poughkeepsie and Beacon communities, as well as the Dutchess County Department of Probation. New to the 2008 season are youth and adults from the North East Community Center in Millerton, Webutuck Central Schools and The Poughkeepsie Children's Home.

The 33-week project kicks off on April 2 at the Dutchess County YMCA in Poughkeepsie. Prior to that, though, a mentor conference for all adults interested in helping out will be held March 5 at Beacon High School.

The goals of the program, according to O'Neil: "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."

O'Neil said adult mentors are needed to work with the novice youth runners. "This means committing to the full training schedule within the project - running with the teens 2-3 times per week," she said. The training schedule will begin in April and run through November.

The running community also can help financially through the Sponsor a Youth Runner Program. "This is where our local community could assist the program by donating funds. The suggested donation is $80-$200 for an individual sponsorship. We are asking our corporate community for larger financial collaborations," O'Neil said. "The donations will help offset costs of new running shoes that will be given to each student involved in the program. Donations are also earmarked for race entry fees and transportation to all races, including the Philadelphia Marathon in November."

The Marathon Project will culminate once again with the participants completing the Philadelphia Marathon or Half Marathon or 8K on Nov. 23. Target races leading up to the "final project" are: the YMCA Bridge Run 5K, May 3; Miles of Hope May 10; Hudson Valley Youth Festival 5K May 17; Laurel Run May 18; Bill Cruise 10K June7; and the Dutchess County Classic, Sept. 21.

For more information on the program, or to RSVP to attend the mentor conference, contact Susanne O'Neil or Rachel Faiella at 845-471-0194. To make a donation of any amount, send it by mail to Susanne O'Neil, The Marathon Project, CAPE/DC, 80 Washington Street, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., 12601.