Monroe Milers Of the seven youth who started the program, five ran a 5K on the fourth of July. Our youngest runner, a nine year old, completed the race in 22:49.
To carry out its vision statement to expand outreach efforts focusing on children, youth and their families, New Life Presbyterian Church decided to hit the ground running, literally. In the spring of 2011, the church sponsored a small walk to run program for seven neighborhood children with the goal of having participants train to run a 5K race. Based on this experience, the church teamed up with
the Upper Monroe Neighborhood Association and Fleet Feet Sports Rochester to expand the program. With a grant from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation, 25 neighborhood youth participated in the Monroe Milers Club this fall.
“Our spring program was such a success,” says program organizer Nancy Allinger, “that we knew we had a winning idea. An amazing time, period, and especially for someone who had never run before.”
Monroe Milers is based at New Life, located on the corner of Monroe Avenue and Rosedale Street. Runners and their volunteer coaches met on Wednesday evenings and Sundays at noon, September through October, 2011. The program participants put their training to the test by competing in the Run for the Pumpkins 5K in Cobbs Hill Park on October 29.
“The program has received tremendous support from the community. Fleet Feet Sports helped us provide each participant with a brand new pair of running shoes as well as offering technical assistance. The Upper Monroe Neighborhood Association has been helping promote the program among the neighbors. Wegmans has provided us with healthy snacks,” says Allinger. “We have 14 volunteer coaches, some are church members, some are parents, and some are experienced local runners. Monroe Milers is not only an opportunity to provide our youth with high quality, fitness training, but also a means to bring the neighboring community together.”
Stayed tuned for information on the spring 2017 session.
