By Steven Siciliano
On Saturday May 18, the BCYF Nazzaro Center youth program participated in its first 5k race at Playstead field at Franklin Park.
Over the past few months, the boys and girls have been training every Monday and Thursday for 90 minutes each week to prepare for the 3.5 mile race.
Most of our students have never jogged before or were not able to commit to something so demanding like a running club.
Child Obesity 180, provided a magnificent curriculum for the run club coaches, the children had the opportunity to get strong and keep healthy while playing games and having fun.
Along our journey, we needed to set goals for our group. We wanted to be realistic due to the fact our kids never raced before let alone even walk a mile. The children passed each goal as a team. They were so proud of themselves earning a different colored wrist band for each goal met.
Run Club coaches kept posting individual miles run for all visitors to see as they walk into the center’s lobby In order to give the kids a sense of pride an encouragement to keep working hard. We had a countdown of the days left to the event.
Here it was, the Run for Recess 5k race was finally here. Parents and family members came to show their support on this beautiful sunny day and the kids all received a bib number. The smiles on their faces were priceless.
One last pep talk from their coach encouraging them to never give up, and finish the race. You are all winners because you are here participating and it doesn’t matter what place you come in.
The children did an amazing job. Each one crossing that finish line with a big smile on their face. We even had several parents participate in the race with their children as well as our youngest racer Connor who completed his first 1 mile race.
The BCYF Nazzaro Center will be continuing this program in the fall with the hopes of getting more youth and families involved.
If you see Angela Wells in the neighborhood please congratulate her on a job well done! Angela came in first place for the 18 and under female divisions with her finishing time of 27:07.
Program Supervisor, Laurie D’Elia for spearheaded this new initiative.