​A partnership between Anglophone West School District and Fredericton Marathon Inc. will result in $7,500 being invested over a three-year period in elementary school cross country and track and field programs within the Fredericton and Oromocto areas.

"Encouraging everyone, including children to be physically active in our community is very important to our committee," said Bruce MacFarlane, co-race director for Fredericton Marathon Inc. "We cannot think of a better way to give back to our community than by supporting local elementary school children through this agreement with the Anglophone West School District."

The funding from Fredericton Marathon Inc. will go to support costs associated with the district conducting 10 cross country meets and three track and field events every year. Area francophone elementary school children also participate in these events.

"ASD-W is absolutely thrilled to partner with the Fredericton Marathon on this project to encourage our youth to be more active," said Ross Campbell, ASD-W's subject coordinator for physical education and health. "Providing them the skills and opportunity to do so will allow them to grow and develop healthy active lifestyles that will positively impact our communities in the future."

Over the past seven years, Fredericton Marathon Inc. has granted $60,500 to various community groups who support the organization's popular annual event every May. Organized and administered by a non-profit corporation composed of all volunteer committee members, no member received a single cent for their service to the running community.

The 41st Fredericton Marathon Race Weekend in scheduled for May 11-12, 2019 and includes a Youth Fun Run on May 11.

Shown in the photo below are (left to right) Joe Crossland, physical education and health lead for ASD-W, Christine Little, Fredericton Marathon Inc., Paul Lavoie, Fredericton Marathon Inc., Ross Campbell, subject coordinator for physical education and health in ASD-W, and student Dara Campbell.