26 SHALER AREA

The first weekend in May, runners laced up their sneakers to participate in the Pittsburgh Marathon, demonstrating the feats that can be accomplished with diligent training, determined focus, and a good running buddy. Elementary students in the Shaler Area School District are learning those lessons early through participating in Kids of Steel, a running program that trains together to participate in the kids’ marathon. Throughout the training runs, students ran 25.2 miles and then participated in a 1-mile run in downtown Pittsburgh, the equivalent of a full marathon.

The program empowers students to develop healthy exercise habits while forming strong connections with one another. Kelly Himes, coach of the program, reflects,“ Kids of Steel is not just for kids that are athletic and involved in sports. Some of my runners do not play a sport, but they show up to Kids of Steel practice ready to step out of their comfort zone, set goals, and achieve them. Watching all of these kids cross the finish line on race day and realizing what they have accomplished is the most rewarding aspect of coaching them. I am so grateful for the opportunity to cheer them on!”

Kids of Steel is a natural fit for Shaler Area Elementary School, which has hosted a 5k every spring for 13 years. The 5k is a beloved tradition that brings together runners of all ages and levels, as students, parents, and administrators run together, making running an integrated part of school culture. Because of the

number of volunteer coaches they currently have, Himes caps participation in Kids of Steel at 100, and students are always vying to be part of the team. For these young people, running is not a solo endeavor but a team undertaking. In their final practice of the season, seasoned alums of Kids of Steel return to give advice to current participants for race day.

“ What makes our program so unique is the outpouring of support from the community. We have several community members, high school students, a varsity track coach, and varsity distance runners volunteering their time to come and make this program a success. My runners truly love to see the high school kids, as they are excellent role models and outstanding inspirations for these students. It motivates them to want to continue with their running journey and join the cross country and track team in the years to come,” shares Himes.

Himes, herself a Shaler alumna, says she has seen students grow in confidence and develop habits that will continue long after race day. Many runners who participate in Kids of Steel have gone on to join the cross country team once they enroll in middle school. Himes explains,“ The JV track coach reported to me that they haven’ t seen these numbers since 2006. This year she had 33 distance runners sign up for JV track. She also had 20 cross country runners this year, when last year there were 6. We are thrilled that these kids are motivated to continue their running journey.”