"We Are Strong, Resilient, and Determined"
Kia Copeland with her daughters, whom she hopes will share her passion for running.
Kia Copeland was part of the first NYRR Run for the Future class, back in 2011 when she was a junior in high school at the Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics. The program creates opportunities for a diverse group of New York City young women in an inclusive environment, providing necessary resources and support to help them meet their self-care and physical activity goals.
A New York native, Kia loved the team aspect of Run for the Future, along with the running. “I didn’t start off as the fastest, but I was encouraged to keep going by the coaches,” she said.
Running changed Kia’s life as she gained the confidence to join her high school cross country team her senior year. She went to Virginia Commonwealth University, where she walked onto the Division I cross country and track teams. She later transferred to Hunter College, where she kept running and started signing up for NYRR races.
During the pandemic, Kia was inspired to join the New York City Police Department (NYPD). She graduated from the Police Academy last year and was assigned to the 20th Precinct on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Now 29, she’s part of the NYPD Running Club and has convinced colleagues to join.
Through the NYPD, Kia feels she can advocate for the community and make tangible change for New Yorkers. “As a member of the NYPD, I help the community on a rudimentary level, on foot, face-to-face. It's easy to put myself in the shoes of others. I think, what if this person was me, my mother, father, brother, grandmother, and I interact empathetically.”
Growing up, Kia said she developed a passion for helping others. “When I was younger my father was an EMS worker and he would talk about how he wanted me to become a doctor, so I can help people. My mother would buy food for the homeless and donate clothing. Though we didn't have much ourselves, they brought many people joy.”
Now a mom to two daughters, ages 2 and 3, Kia hopes to pass along her love of running. “I hope that they have the passion to run as much as I do. But I will encourage them to do what they love, whatever sport that may be, as long as they are healthy and happy.”
Kia’s recent races include the 2023 New Balance Bronx 10 Mile (pictured below) and the 2024 NYRR Fred Lebow Half Marathon. On April 28, she’ll run the REAL SIMPLE Women’s Half Marathon and will be aiming for a personal best time of 1 hour and 50 minutes.
She’s excited about running an all-women race because she believes women’s running is special. “Less than 60 years ago it wasn't acceptable for a woman to run a marathon. We [were] seen as delicate and gentle. Women are caretakers, but we are more than that—we are strong, resilient, and determined. My daughters and so many other young women can see that in a male dominated society, we can be equal.”
She added, “I'm so happy that women are finally free to show what we can do and I'm so happy to be born in a time and where women are shattering records like we have never done before.”
Race photo by MarathonFoto.