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Women's Track and Field

Run Club a Great Time for McKean Elementary Students and Boro Student-Athletes

EDINBORO, Pa. -- On Saturday, January 25 the Edinboro track & field hosted the Al Hall Freedom Games Indoor Track & Field. The collegiate races were far from the main event.  McKean Elementary brought in over 80 runners from grades Kindergarten to fourth grade to race in either an 800m run or mile run. These races were the conclusion of the after-school Run Club program.

Over the past two months, members of the Edinboro track & field athletes and coaches have been volunteering at McKean Elementary to help the students get ready for their big races. The student-athletes helped run stations where they would help the students learn about sprinting, endurance, flexibility and strength.

"Every year the students and parents can't wait for run club to start! It is such a great collaboration between Mrs. Roberts (McKean Elementary physical education teacher), coach Anne Cleary and coach Clayton Foster (Edinboro head track & field coaches)," said Staci Rock, McKean Elementary mother and Run Club volunteer.   

"McKean Elementary students get to practice every Tuesday and Thursday for a couple months prior to the main event at the Edinboro dome. The coaches and athletes come to the majority of the practices to volunteer with the kids. Their support and dedication meant so much to McKean Elementary and our community," Rock added.

It's more than just running too, the Edinboro student-athletes talk to the elementary students about all their track and field events. Then when they come to the meet they can watch the various events, including the running.

"The kids love hearing from the athletes about what events they do in track & field. They also love having the Edinboro track and field athletes race with them at practice. It gives them that extra drive and makes it so much fun for them," said Rock.

"I feel some of the most important things our student-athletes are doing during Run Club have nothing to do with running," said Cleary. "During Run Club you'd see our student-athletes jogging, or sometimes just walking along side a student just talking about things that had nothing to do with running. More than anything we gave a lot of high fives and tied a lot of shoes but our goal was just to make running a positive activity for them. We want them to grow to love track & field, cross country or just recreational running and starting them young with a program like this is one of the best ways." 

Run Club is led by Edinboro track & field and cross country alumnus Lisa Roberts. Run Club meets twice a week during the months of December and January. The Edinboro track and field team and coaches volunteer along with teachers and parents from McKean Elementary.

"It's not only a great program for the elementary students but it's also great for our student-athletes to be able to give back and see the impact that their time and energy can have on these younger kids," said Cleary. "After they leave our team I hope they counite to give back.

"The kids running is always the highlight of the meet," Cleary add. "I have coaches and athletes from other teams ask every year if the little kids will be running again this year."
As part of the meet the kindergartners through 2nd graders run a 800m and the third and fourth graders run a mile.

"If you've never been to the main event at the Edinboro Dome, you are missing out," said Rock.  "We had 80+ kids run this year, and it is amazing to see so many parents and students from our community participate in an event that gets kids excited, inspired, gets them moving, gives them so much positivity and encouragement, let's them have fun, and gives them a day they will always remember."

"The McKean Elementary Run Club is so very fortunate to have had the opportunity to partner with Edinboro University's track and field and cross country teams," said Roberts.  "The collegiate athletes and coaches assisted us each week after school for our practices and once again invited us to the indoor collegiate meet held at the Dome complex.  The Al Hall Freedom Games and the opportunity to utilize the Dome is an unforgettable experience for our children. The Dome complex is a unique and valuable asset to our community. Athletes, community members, and many events offer year-round physical activity and athleticism. Our children have enjoyed the run program and the Dome event for seven years. Many students would never have an opportunity like this if it were not for EUP athletics and the Dome. Our children talk about the facility and event and it has definitely changed some young lives to aspire and strive for more."
 
Edinboro Kids Run

 
Edinboro Kids Run

 
Edinboro Kids Run

 
Edinboro Kids Run

 
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