Boston Middle School Cross Country Races Yield Winners, Smiles

Middle School Cross Country Championships Bring Excitement to Franklin Park

October 21, 2010   

BOSTON – On a crisp and overcast autumn morning at Franklin Park in Boston, excitement was in the air at the 2010 B.A.A. Middle School Cross Country Championship, hosted by Boston Public Schools and Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) and presented by the Boston Athletic Association and adidas.

More than 300 participants from 14 middle schools throughout the City of Boston streamed from their buses and to the starting line for the 15^th annual event on Thursday, October 21, 2010. The middle school championship races annually feature separate boys and girls races (approximately .75 mile) and a relay race.  

This event is the culmination of a month-long training program, and part of the B.A.A./adidas partnership to bring running opportunities to youth and on a year-round basis.

Focusing on the fundamentals of running, team participation, and health benefits, the training program offers a unique athletic opportunity to the youths of Greater Boston. More than 6,000 middle school-aged youths have participated in the Boston Middle School cross country program and championship since it launched in 1996.

The B.A.A. works in conjunction with Boston Public Schools and Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF)  to promote health and fitness, particularly though the sport of running several times throughout the year. One of the program’s objectives is to develop interest in running which the B.A.A. presents as a fun recreation, healthy habit, and a glimpse into what is possible during these formative years.

This year, on hand to distribute awards for the winners was Ruben Sanca of Dorchester, who in 2000, took part in the cross country program and championship while attending Dearborn Middle School. After arriving in the United States from Cape Verde in 1999, Sanca found his passion for running at this event ten years prior, at the fifth annual event. He went on to become a standout runner at O’Bryant Technical High School in Boston. Subsequently, Sanca excelled at the collegiate level for UMass/Lowell.

Today, he is a member of the Boston Athletic Association Running Club and specializes in the 5,000 to 10,000-meter distance. He will compete at this Sunday’s Boston Mayor’s Cup Cross Country and Youth Races, also presented by the B.A.A. and adidas, and also held at Franklin Park.  His story is a shining example of how running can offer inspiration in the lives of young people. He told his motivating story to the middle schoolers, encouraging this year’s participants to follow in his foot steps.

Lunch, dj music, and an award ceremony concluded the day’s activities before the kids returned to their schools. Medals were awarded to all participants, and top individuals and teams were presented with trophies.

Curley K-8 School                          Dearborn Middle School                  Hernandez K-8

Jackson-Mann School                    King K-8 School                             McKay K-8 School

Mildred Avenue K-8 School             Perry K-8 School                           Rogers Middle School

Greenwood (Sarah) K-8                  Timilty Middle School                     Tobin K-8 School

Young Achievers Science and Math Pilot K

Results