UCF's Cross Country Squad Teams Up with Run Your CityUCF's Cross Country Squad Teams Up with Run Your City
Chris Cabret

UCF's Cross Country Squad Teams Up with Run Your City

by Aiden Kocol

ORLANDO -  With a mission to make running fun, empowering and accessible to all, UCF’s cross country team is bringing the national nonprofit Run Your City to Orlando. Aiming to combine athletics with mentorship, the Black and Gold’s dedicated group of student-athletes will lead a six-week sport program designed to inspire young runners through teamwork, confidence-building, and healthy habits.

As acting Co-Presidents of the new Run Orlando initiative, Abigail Clements and Avery Latto, are hoping to foster a love for running while teaching the values of teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship to the next generation.

"Run Orlando is such an exciting way to build a community and extend a blessing we are given here at UCF to others around us. It opens so many doors for growth in ourselves, not just as athletes, but as mentors."

Abigail ClementsCo-President

 

 

Clemets and Latto made an effort to set up the chapter after the head of the organization contacted them looking to expand its effort of introducing children to sports in a supportive environment regardless of their background into the Orlando area. 

The duo hit the ground running immediately, getting their teammates on board and planning their sessions with the kids to maximize time and make it accessible to all, both key pieces to the Run Your City model. Together they’ve set up the six-session program, beginning this Sunday, Sept. 14, to bring the most value to the aspiring young athletes as they know what it takes to make it in one of the most competitive levels of sport, while still maintaining healthy habits.

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Latto and Clements aren’t the only athletes embracing their mentorship roles though, as Madison Patchan, Ava Quattrocchi, Penelope Sosa, Paige Jaszczak, Riley Jaszczak, and Raquel Edwards join in on the non-profit’s effort to inspire young runners and show them that running can be fun, empowering, and for everyone.  

Founded in 2018 at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Run Your City began as a grassroots initiative and quickly gained momentum. The program grew rapidly in credit to the dedication of student-athletes, local volunteers, and professional runners eager to make a difference. Inspired by the positive impact on children and communities, the organization has since expanded to cities across the country. 

And now, thanks to the efforts of the dedicated Knights on UCF’s cross country squad, the Run Your City organization will come to Orlando where, through student-athlete led sessions, kids will have the ability to participate in group runs, obstacle courses, and motivational discussions to improve their health, running form, and boost thier confidence.

"Run Orlando has the opportunity to become an incredible way for children to collaborate and learn core values involved in the sport of running. In starting up this chapter, we hope to bring an inclusive, accessible, welcoming community to any children interested."

Avery LattoCo-President

No prior running experience is required for kids to join the program, and anyone is welcome to sign-up as a volunteer for the program which will focus on promoting physical fitness, confidence-building, and positive peer engagement alongside the group of students athletes committed to sharing their passion for running.

You can join the UCF cross country team and Run Orlando from 1-2 P.M. at Downey Park either as a participant or volunteer on the following dates:

  • Sunday, Sept. 14
  • Sunday, Sept. 21
  • Sunday, Sept. 28
  • Sunday, Oct. 12
  • Sunday, Oct. 26
  • Sunday, Nov. 9

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ABOUT RUN YOUR CITY: RUN ORLANDO
Run Your City is a nonprofit initiative that offers free running training for children in grades K–8. Focused on inclusivity and empowerment, the program encourages kids of all levels to be active, build friendships, and develop healthy habits for life.

To learn more about Run Your City, visit: https://www.runyourcity.org/

To participate, volunteer, or provide a donation to Run Orlando, visit:  https://www.runyourcity.org/run-orlando to access links