Helping youths of Eastern Massachusetts discover the sport of running.
The Boston Athletic Association is once again sponsoring its youth running program on the occasion of the Boston Marathon. Again this year Club 117 will culminate with the Relay Challenge on Saturday, April 13, 2013, two days before the historic 117th running of the B.A.A. Boston Marathon. Last year’s youth event was again a tremendous success with hundreds of young participants from Boston-area running clubs attending the Relay Challenge.
Much of this success can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of the coaches and facility coordinators. Commencing annually in mid-March, training begins at selected middle schools and community-based organizations. Coaches train participating youths each week in one hour sessions, providing instruction that includes concepts such as teamwork, motivation and goal-setting. Youths are given uniforms and log journals as part of the sign-up process to foster the ideals of the program.
The participants are usually between the fifth and eighth grade, and the program culminates with the Relay Challenge on Saturday, April 13, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Club 117 and the B.A.A. Relay Challenge are part of the year-round youth program initiative created from the partnership that exists between the B.A.A. and adidas. More than 16,000 Boston-area youths have participated in the B.A.A. Relay Challenge since its inception in 1997.
Overseeing the coaching of these programs is Michael Pieroni, who receives assistance from B.A.A. staff and running club members.