by Jeff Benjamin
Photo of Jeff Benjamin, Roger Robinson and Katherine Switzer, photo courtesy of Jeff Benjamin,
Photo of Michael Schnall, Jason Simpson, Jenny Simpson, Jeff Benjamin, photo courtesy of Jeff Benjamin
This story is on the 2017 NYRR Night of Champions, which is again, one of the fine events that fill up the NYC Marathon week. This event, as Jeff Benjamin can attest is all about raising money for Kids and getting more running in the Big Apple.
The 2017 NYRR Night of Champions – Where the Kids are the Champs!
By Jeff Benjamin
A sold-out packed gala. Hundreds of people. Legends like Gary Muhrcke Kathrine Switzer, Paula Radcliffe, Orlando Pizzolato, Joan Benoit-Samuelson, Nina Kuscik and German Silva. Current Championship competitors Tatyana McFadden and Ghirmay Ghebreslassie and Meb Keflezighi to name a few. NYRR Stalwarts George Hirsch, Mike Frankfurt along with NYRR’s “Dynamic Duo” Peter Ciaccia and Michael Capiraso. What a gathering of great people. Including kids.
But it was ALL about the Kids!
That was the theme at last night’s annual NYRR Night of Champions fundraiser gala. With hundreds of children’s running programs throughout the 5-boroughs, NYRR has done a masterful service towards improving the health and fitness of thousands of children throughout the metropolitan area. But it’s events like these which raise much needed funds to keep these things going.
“It’s so important to get young people into running,” said Switzer, who’s running the race tomorrow at the age of 70. “There was nothing like these programs for kids when we were younger, especially the girls.” Coming from the one of THE women’s running and Sports’ pioneers just lends legitimacy to those goals emulated by the NYRR.
Also attending was current American Mile Legend Jenny Simpson and her husband Jason a 2:20 Marathoner himself who’s running tomorrow through the 5 boroughs, albeit this year for fun. Wife Jenny, the Olympic and World Championships Medalist as well as multi time 5th Avenue Me Champion, is in off-season training mode, but her passion and determination is still ever-present, especially when it comes to kids. The Simpsons, who have worked and mentored many kids back in their hometown of Boulder, have now joined the NYRR Crew. It was announced last month that Jenny Simpson will Serve as Ambassador & Special Advisor to the Newly Launched Free Youth Fitness Program Called “Rising New York Road Runners”.
“It’s a great love and honor,” Simpson said quickly last night, as she recounted how as a young runner, it was through the mentorship of Mile Legend Jim Ryun through his running camps (Which still take place every summer to this day!) which served as one of her foundations towards greatness. “We expect to be in New York City quite often,” Said Jason.
The feeling of rewarding reached a climax at the end of the gala as NYRR’s Michael Rodgers, the progenitor of this event, announced that over $30,000 was raised from the festivities for the youth and community programs to applause.A Great Night indeed.
And It was ALL about the kids!
