by Jeff Benjamin
Kevin Jermyn, CARA, photo courtesy of CARA
Jeff Benjamin wrote this piece on his friend, Kevin Jermyn, who has moved to the Windy City to help build Chicago Area Runners.
“Running has positively shaped my life since I started on a high school cross country team in 1989,” said Kevin Jermyn last October upon being named the Executive of the Chicago Area Runners Association.
How accurate that perception is. The Tottenville High School (Staten Island) Alum, who surprised many by winning the High School Mile at the Millrose Games when it was held back in Madison Square Garden, has achieved nothing but success in both his running and coaching career. Jermyn would go on to Georgetown, where he became an All-American. Then he attempted to make his mark in the elite runners world, which resulted in running a 3:43 1500 meters and a 4:03 mile as a member of the Reebok Enclave.
From his running career, came the beginnings of coaching, which resulted in a 19 year career, but notably as head coach of the Duke University’s girls XC team, a position he held for 14 years.
Now Jermyn looks to attempt his greatest challenge – to spread his love and passion of running to the masses. On top of that the one-time elite miler is looking to attempt his first marathon as well, planning to run the race in his new hometown of Chicago.
Jermyn took the time to explain his passion and goals for the “Windy City” (below)-
“The Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) works diligently to improve health and wellness in Chicagoland through running and community. Unfortunately, 68 percent of Americans or over-weight or obese and nearly 50 percent are diabetic or pre-diabetic. Just 31 percent of Americans consider themselves as very happy and this is largely due to a lack of community. I believe that running provides a magical solution to our health and wellness challenges. Running is our most accessible, affordable and time efficient vehicle to improve health and wellness. In addition to providing numerous direct health benefits, running helps people become actively engaged in a healthy community, which is essential to wellness. My passion for running and health and wellness is what attracted me to CARA.” noted Kevin.
Kevin continued: ” The CARA community currently consists of over 10,000 runners throughout the city and suburbs. CARA offers one of the largest and most successful group training programs nationally, training upwards of 3,000 Chicagoans annually in programs ranging from beginning running to advanced marathon training. Moving forward, I am excited to expand CARA’s support to underserved communities throughout Chicagoland and youth running.”
Kevin added, “CARA launched ‘Go Run in 2016 with the objective to activate neighborhood parks, build communities and encourage active lifestyle through running and volunteerism. ‘Go Run are organized, free 5k and 1-mile runs in Chicago parks and served more than 3,000 finishers over 48 runs in our debut season. Our goal is to expand to 12 parks and 288 runs in parks throughout the city and suburbs and introducing 50,000 Chicagoans to our running community.”
Kevin finished with: “Unfortunately, the track & field opportunities are currently limited within Chicago, especially without a public indoor track and field facility. However, CARA is actively supporting the city’s efforts to build an indoor facility in Gately Park. This will be an amazing opportunity to uplift Chicago’s youth through track & field. CARA recently partnered with one of the most successful local youth track clubs, Chicago Flyers, and we are excited to enhance track and field opportunities available to Chicagoland youth. Personally, track and field helped develop me into an “A” student and afforded me the opportunity to attend Georgetown University with an athletic scholarship, so I am excited to afford Chicago’s youth similar opportunities.”
Lofty goals indeed, but Kevin Jermyn is not someone who believes that something can’t be done. Just look at how far his passion has brought him!
