PICS: Sunset Park Kids Meet Olympic Runners, Score New Running Shoes

SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN — Sunset Park Prep MS 821 students met two olympic runners and received free New Balance running shoes Wednesday night to celebrate New York Road Runners' new RunCenter.

New York Road Runners (NYRR) recently opened up the RunCenter featuring the New Balance Run Hub at 320 West 57th St. in December.

The center serves as a meeting place for all members of the running community. A variety of running-related services are hosted at the center, including: weekly race events around the city, group training and running education.

The highlight of the RunCenter is the "1 For You 1 For Youth" program, which benefits NYRR youth runners. For each pair of shoes purchased at the RunCenter featuring the New Balance Run Hub, New Balance donates a pair of shoes to the youth program.

Sunset Park students were among the first kids in the youth program to receive free New Balance running shoes Wednesday. One hundred pairs of shoes were donated to youth runners from across the City's five boroughs.

At the event Wednesday night, the MS 821 students received running tips and heard stories about the Olympics from five-time 5th Avenue Mile champion and Olympic medalist Jenny Simpson and Brenda Martinez. The runners' coaches, Bakwah Kotung and Mark Waka, also met with the students.

“We are so excited to bring the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the NB Run Hub to our extraordinary running community,” said Michael Capiraso, president and CEO of New York Road Runners. “Our mission is to inspire our community, and those coming to NYC to run, to come together to improve their health and well-being through running, and enjoy the diverse events, programs, and offerings at the RUNCENTER."

The RUNCENTER will include these features, according to NYRR:

• NYRR Running Lab – This is where course strategy sessions led by NYRR coaches will take place. There will also be touch screens that allow runners to search for TCS New York City Marathon race results and view weekly course display maps.
• Borough Steps – This includes bleacher-style seating for approximately 100 people to provide runners a place to sit for events and programs at the Running Lab, as well as a space to gather before runs. The steps will also feature five-borough plaques that include borough-specific experiences.
• Lockers – There are 78 lockers available for day use to runners looking to store their belongings while out on a run. There will also be four changing rooms for runners to change in and out of running gear.
• NB Run Hub – On the mezzanine level, the NB Run Hub will offer a wide variety of innovative footwear, apparel, and accessories and exclusive programming. New Balance will provide event participants with associated event premium items (e.g., race shirts, hats, socks) that will be distributed in the Premium Pickup Station at the RUNCENTER.
• NB Test Run – Inside the NB Run Hub, participants will have the opportunity to try out the latest NB gear and technology, often before it launches anywhere else in the world.

The RunCenter is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Photos courtesy of NYRR