New York Road Runners partners with New York City Public Schools to create middle school running progams
The nonprofit will invest $3 million over five years on underserved school districts
Students participate in New York Road Runners programming at Macombs Dam Park outside Yankee Stadium (Image by Angelique Mollina-Mangaroo)
New York Road Runners has partnered with New York City Public Schools to create running programs for middle-school students.
The nonprofit, dedicated to helping and encouraging youth to become physically active through running, will invest $3 million over the next five years to promote the creation of middle school running teams in underserved school districts. The initiative will impact more than 7,000 students at over 100 public middle schools across New York City.
Currently, New York Road Runners serves 60,000 children across the five boroughs. The nonprofit has been one of the public schools’ physical activity partners for about two decades.
“This initiative will expand access to running and physical activity for a key student population,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of New York Road Runners, said at a press conference at Macombs Dam Park outside Yankee Stadium in the Bronx where the initiative was announced Wednesday.“The benefits of youth playing sports and being active simply can’t be overstated. I know for a fact that being active and being part of a team as a kid really helped shape the person who I am today.”
The impact of sports is far and wide,” Simmelkjaer continued “Just to name a few benefits of exercise, it can prevent chronic diseases, improve self-esteem, combat loneliness, enhance concentration and intention and lead to higher academic achievement.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics found that 70% of children and teens drop out of organized sports by age 13. The drop off is compounded by income inequality. The Aspen Institute Stay of of Play 2023 reports only 25% of youth between the ages of 6-12 in homes earning under $25,000 regularly participate in sports, compared to 39% of children in homes with an income of $100,000 or more. The organization’s research-based programs take a developmental approach to their physical education and combine games and activities with running to make it fun for youth.
“Sports are academics. We engage the mind, we engage the body, we engage teamwork, we engage social emotional learning,” said Harry Sherman, superintendent of School District 9, at the press conference. All of that comes together in athletics.”
Organizers of the press conference said they hope the initiative helps young people take interest in and make a habit of being physically active, as well as continue their athletic careers in their personal or professional lives.