As more young runners from the Cleveland Municipal School
District are jumping feet first into the Rite Aid Cleveland
Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K on May 20for the second year,
they are getting a burst of extra wind behind them in the way
of a financial gift from the newly formed Cleveland Marathon
Charities.
Cleveland Marathon Charities is a 501(c)3 charitable
organization whose mission is to raise and distribute funds to
other Northeast Ohio non-profit organizations.
Cleveland Marathon Charities will cover entry fees and the
cost of medals for all 200 participants in the second annual
1.2 mile kids run and the 28 youth runners from last year who
have decided to train to run the 10K (6.1 mile) race. The
number of youth runners in this program is up from last year's
80 runners.
The young runners are participating in the marathon under
Motivating Movement through Marathoning, a pilot program
sponsored by Steps to a HealthierCleveland, a program of the
Cleveland Department of Public Health, in partnership with the
YMCA of Greater Cleveland. Over twelve weeks of preparation
time, the students will have run a total of 25 miles with the
last mile of their program run during the last mile of the
Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon on Sunday. The pilot program was
aimed at physical education teachers across the district with
long-range goals of getting children up, moving, motivated and
focused.
"We're more than happy to be able to make this contribution
that will allow any youth runner who wants to participate in
this and future marathons to do so," Jack Staph, executive
director of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. "The Cleveland
Marathon Charities was formed with exactly this kind of effort
in mind. As more school children choose to participate in the
Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, the hope is more money will be
available to see to it that they can accomplish their goals of
staying fit, having fun and participating in one of the best
marathons in the country."
Cleveland Marathon Charities organizes and financially rewards
school, church and other non-profit groups that show their
support of health and fitness through running by their active
involvement as participants, volunteers or cheerleaders in the
Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon.
With the extra funding, school teacher and marathon veteran
Connie Roop's 6th and 8th grade students will join her on the
course for the first time this year.
The 14 members of Audubon Eagles may not run along side Roop,
but they'll be with her in spirit. The students are members of
Audubon's track team, and have been training to run the 1.2
mile race while Roop runs the half marathon.
Roop she was inspired to form a team from her school when she
crossed the finish line in her second half marathon last year,
and heard the announcement about other Cleveland students who
finished the race.
"I was put in touch with Zerrine Bailey of the Steps to a
HealthierCleveland program and I went to a meeting to get
information," Roop said. "One day before track practice
started, I told the track students about the marathon program
and they were very interested."
"The Steps to a HealthierCleveland program has provided some
great incentives like pedometers, book bags, wrist bands and
running shoes to encourage the students."
The students also received extra encouragement and training
from the school's track coaches, Earlie Jackson and Allen
Settles, 6th grade teacher Marsha Hubbard, and the Steps to a
HealthierCleveland physical fitness coach Rich Zatta.
"I can't wait to see my students in their green and yellow
track uniforms the day of the race," Roop said. "I think the
students are really excited to participate and be out there to
represent our school."
The young 10K runners, who were participants in last year's
1.2 mile race and chose to run the longer 10K this year, will
be invited for an overnight stay at the Cleveland YMCA and
lunch with parents on race weekend.
Organizations and businesses interested in making a financial
contribution to the Cleveland Marathon Charities may contact
Mary Grace McGuirk at 216-589-9053 or
mgmcguirk@yahoo.com for additional information.
The 30th annual Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon will hit the
streets of Cleveland on Sunday, May 20 at 7:00 a.m., and
weave runners through historic and scenic parts of the city.
There will be a 26.3 Mile Rock Party at the finish line
featuring food and live music. Those who are interested in
participating in the marathon, half-marathon, 10K, wheelchair
challenge, walking divisions or kid's race, can register
online at
www.clevelandmarathon.com or call 1-800-467-3826 for more
information.
About Steps to a HealthierCleveland:
Steps to a HealthierCleveland is funded by the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services as part of Steps to a
HealthierUS, a national program focusing on the prevention of
diabetes, obesity and asthma and the control of risk factors
including poor nutrition, physical inactivity and tobacco use
and exposure. For more information about the Steps to a
HealthierCleveland program, please visit
www.clevelandhealth.org or call 216-664-4310.
About
Steps to a HealthierUS:
Steps to a HealthierUS is a U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS) initiative advancing the HealthierUS goal
to help Americans live longer, better and healthier lives.
This initiative will reduce the burden of chronic diseases
including diabetes, obesity and asthma, and the control of
risk factors including poor nutrition, physical inactivity and
tobacco use and exposure, through funding of community-based
interventions. www.healthierus.gov/steps.
About the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon &
10K
The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K is now in its 30th
year of providing a running experience for all individuals who
want to participate regardless of their abilities. More than
250,000 runners have participated, generating more than $8
million annually to benefit the Cleveland community.
Mission Statement:
- To provide a running experience for all individuals who
want to participate regardless of their abilities.
- To produce an event that highlights the Cleveland
community and provides a positive economic impact for the
community.
- To give charities an opportunity to benefit financially from
the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K.
