Olympic legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku to take part in this Sunday’s Boston Marathon Youth Jamboree

Free community event introduces children to track and field fun

The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has announced that Olympic legend and adidas athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku will be among the elite ambassadors attending this Sunday’s Boston Marathon Youth Jamboree at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in Roxbury. This year’s Jamboree coincides with, and will celebrate, International Women’s Day.

A three-time Olympic champion and six-time Olympic medalist, Joyner-Kersee is regarded by many as the best track and field athlete in American history. For her success as a heptathlete and long jumper, Joyner-Kersee was named the Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century by Sports Illustrated. Joyner-Kersee has continued to inspire athletes around the world as an advocate and motivational speaker. She is an ambassador for adidas and will take part as a mentor for youth attending the Boston Marathon Youth Jamboree on Sunday.

Ayanbeku, a 2016 Paralympic sprinter in the 100 meters and 200 meters, will also be on hand to mentor youth. A graduate of Brockton High School who continues to train in Boston, Ayanbeku won a bronze medal at the 2019 IPC World Championships in the 200 meters and aspires to compete at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

The Boston Marathon Youth Jamboree is a free community event that gives young athletes the chance to experience track and field fun. Youth in Pre-K through grade 8 can experience the excitement of the Boston Marathon by participating in a variety of stations—including running, jumping, and throwing activities and age-group races.

Additionally, many members of the B.A.A. High Performance Team and local mascots including Spike the Unicorn will be on hand throughout the day. A recap of last year’s Boston Marathon Youth Jamboree can be seen on the Boston Marathon Instagram page.

Registration for the Boston Marathon Youth Jamboree is available online now and is strongly encouraged. Participants can also register on-site at the Jamboree.

  • What: Boston Marathon Youth Jamboree
  • Where: Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center, Roxbury, MA
  • When: Sunday, March 8, 2020; 1:00–4:00 p.m.
  • Who: Children ages Pre-K through grade 8 

Media are encouraged to attend and should contact media@baa.org to register.