Aurora wins the Colorado Colfax Marathon, Kaiser Permanente Municipal Cup and $8,000 for charity

The city of Aurora has won first place in the category "Municipalities with the Most Participants Across All Events," during the Denver Post Colorado Colfax Marathon, which was held earlier this year.

Five-person teams from cities and towns across Colorado competed in this year's Kaiser Permanente Municipal Cup. However, more Aurora residents and city employees participated in the Colorado Colfax Marathon than any other city.

Because of this outstanding participation and dedication to a healthy lifestyle, Kaiser Permanente has donated $8,000 to the city of Aurora to be used to fund an activity or program that relates to running. The City Council has decided the money be used to fund a proposed Track and Field Scholarship Opportunity Program.

This program is designed to benefit underserved youth, families with financial need, and youth demonstrating academic excellence.

The Youth Sports Track and Field program is one of the Recreation Division's most popular programs. The Track and Field Scholarship Opportunity Program would extend the track and field program's reach in the community, providing the physical, mental and social benefits of organized recreation to more children.

Track and Field Scholarship Opportunity Program funds would be distributed over the course of three to four years to reach the greatest number of deserving youth ages 4 to 14, and will defray individual registration fees for participation. A small portion of the funding will provide in-service training to existing coaching staff to enhance the quality of Aurora's Youth Sports Track and Field program.

In addition to the $8,000 award, Kaiser Permanente will also pay for and install 10 bicycle racks throughout the City to encourage Aurora residents to engage in a healthy lifestyle.