More than 70 students from Harrison Park Elementary School completed the 2023 Kids of STEEL program sponsored by P3R. This training program challenges participants to complete 25 miles of physical activity. Students and their families were able to participate in two culminating events - a one-mile celebration run at the Penn-Trafford High School’s Warrior Field and a one-mile Kids’ Marathon in Pittsburgh on May 6th. Upon completion, students would have run a total of 26.2 miles…that of a full marathon!
Harrison Park teachers, Mrs. Justine Fecik and Mrs. Jamie Hoffman, who both participated in the Pittsburgh Marathon Relay in 2022, were inspired to get their own children and their students running.
Mrs. Fecik shared, “When I completed my first half marathon, I was in total amazement of myself. I never thought I’d be able to run that far. I want to provide that same sense of accomplishment and pride to our students through this program. I think it’s important to teach them the value of sportsmanship as well as self-perseverance. With each practice, I remind the students that we don’t run against each other, but against ourselves. By doing so we are able to become better and stronger each week, in order to reach our overall goal of completing the Kid’s One Mile Pittsburgh Marathon and to have fun!”
P3R has awarded Harrison Park a $750 grant to be used toward elements of the Kids of STEEL program.
“We are so proud of all of our students who participated in the program in this inaugural year,” said Mrs. Hoffman. “We cannot wait to grow the Kids of STEEL program in the future!”
Students warm up at a KOS practice
Students wait to start their run at Warrior Field
The Harrison Park participants
Students wait to begin their run at the P3R Kids Marathon