So you may remember that I've been meeting -- and running -- weekly with a group of inner-city kids who participate in the K.O.C.O. (Knocking Out Childhood Obesity) program at Blanks, Howard, Virges Academy.
We started training in July with a goal of completing a 1-mile race in the fall.
Yesterday was the day!
We ran the 1-mile event at the Run Around Erie 15K at Presque Isle State Park. This is a great event that includes a 15K run, a 5K run/walk and a 1-mile fun run/walk. Race director, Jeff Shaw, graciously allowed the kids to run for free -- and even gave them all race t-shirts, too.
The kids were so excited and they all did really well -- I was proud of them for remembering to pace themselves -- run for a bit, walk for a bit...run for a bit, walk for a bit. All of the kids finished the race -- including my own two daughters who are (dare I say) following in their mom's footsteps.
Waiting for the race to start.
A pre-race pep talk from Erie County Executive Mark DiVecchio
Lorenzie McCoy and Mabel Howard.
Melanie Johnson.
Tylena McCoy.
Me & Tylena.
The Cass girls -- we did it!