The Power of Running
Professional runners and city schoolchildren inspire one another in Harlem
The auditorium was buzzing this morning at P.S. 38 Roberto Clemente, an elementary school in Harlem, as the kids showed their best behavior for a host of visitors. World-class runners, in town for the Healthy Kidney 10K this Saturday, along with representatives from New York Road Runners joined race sponsors to commend the kids for their commitment to health and fitness.
Two months ago, the school joined the NYRR Foundation Mighty Milers program, which provides support and incentives to children integrating running and fitness into their school day. Today, the kids were thrilled to meet NYRR president and CEO Mary Wittenberg and the athletes she introduced for this celebration. “I understand there’s no walking in this school, only running?” Wittenberg said. The cheers and the looks of adoration the kids gave the professional runners were priceless.
NYRR held this event, which included a group run in the schoolyard and fitness drills, to support the school’s progress. USA 15K champion Anthony Famiglietti encouraged the kids to outsprint him as he looped around the basketball courts. The jovial atmosphere set by energetic kids, fast music, and an emcee prompted representatives from the United Arab Emirates, which sponsors the race, to join in.
School principal Norma Caraballo and parent coordinator Denise Figueroa are committed to making wellness a priority at this school. “The kids are eating from a new salad bar in the cafeteria, and we’re going to continue with this program,” said Figueroa. The school is part of the Department of Health’s Wellness Council initiative to improve kids’ health in at-risk New York City elementary schools. The kids have already surpassed their initial running goals.
Also at the event was 24-year-old Ariel Ferrera and his 11-year-old brother, Lionel. Their story is a testament to the work of the National Kidney Foundation, which the Healthy Kidney 10K supports. Ariel donated one of his kidneys to Lionel six months ago, and the pair celebrated in Harlem today. The late UAE president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was a recipient of a kidney transplant in 2000.
Anthony Famiglietti and a young Mighty Miler.
