Back on My Feet residential and non-residential members at Veteran's Day Run 2011 (Back on My Feet)
The MetroPCS Dallas Marathon has taken an active role in helping improve the community?s health and fitness. Initiatives kick off this month to support the area?s homeless population and Dallas? African-American communities.
?One of our goals is to reach out to populations that may get significant health benefits from participation in running but have typically been underrepresented in the marathon,? said Riva Rahl Graeme, Cooper Wellness Medical Director and chair of the marathon?s Health and Fitness Committee.
The committee awarded an $18,000 grant to Back on My Feet, a national nonprofit that uses running to cultivate self-sufficiency among those experiencing homelessness. There are nine chapters across the country. The 10th opens in Austin next year.
The organization teaches determination, achievement and self-worth through running. Participants earn job training and housing assistance by fulfilling the program?s requirements, which include attending 90 percent of the training runs and having a positive attitude.
Back on My Feet entered the Dallas market in February 2011 with three teams: The Bridge, Dallas Life and the Salvation Army. Officials needed additional funding to reach more of the area?s homeless communities.
The program costs $1,800 to fund one member for one year. The marathon?s grant facilitated the new Veterans Affairs team, which kicks off with a celebration run Monday. There will be at least 10 members, all of whom are veterans.
Back on My Feet is looking for volunteers to run with the VA team. The teams run at 5:45 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at their respective facilities.
Volunteer training is conducted twice a month: at 7 p.m. the first Monday of the month at Run On?s Mockingbird location, and at 5:45 a.m. the first Wednesday of the month at the Salvation Army.
?We knew we would have the veterans? team,? said Kristen Kouk, communications and corporate relations director for Back on My Feet. ?We were lucky to have the Dallas Marathon step up with the donation.?
The marathon?s Health and Fitness Committee also presented a $6,000 grant to the National Black Marathon Association for coaches? training. The Road Runners Club of America will conduct a coaching clinic geared to minority coaches Nov. 17-18 at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.
Dallas? Tony Reed, a Dallas Marathon board member, helped create the National Black Marathon Association in 2004. Reed, who rarely saw other African-American runners at endurance events in the early 2000s, said he wanted to encourage more African-Americans to take up running for its health benefits and camaraderie. The group has grown from just a few members to more than 2,000.
The NBMA is working with the Road Runners Club of America and Running USA to expand the concept nationally.
UltraCentric runs set: The annual UltraCentric Experience, featuring 72-, 48-, 24- , 12 and 6-hour runs, kicks off with the start of its three-day challenge at 9 a.m. Nov. 15 at Meadowmere Park on Lake Grapevine. All races use a 2-mile USA Track and Field-certified route. The 48-hour event begins at 8 a.m. the next day. The remaining three races start at 9 a.m. Nov. 17.
The overall men?s and women?s champions in the 72-, 48- and 24-hour events will win one-ounce American Eagle gold coins. The runners-up will earn a pound of American Eagle silver coins. The third-place finishers will receive a half-pound of silver coins.
The 24-hour race serves as the Road Runners Club of America national championship race.
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Briefly: Dallas pro triathlete D?Ann Arthur will conduct a running clinic from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Norbuck Park. The cost is $50. Arthur, a 2012 duathlon national champion, will cover drills and skills, injury prevention, strength exercises, hill running and training strategies for triathlon and running. Information: deearthur2005@yahoo.com ? Saturday?s Dead Man?s Dash needs additional zombies for its 5K mud run because of the race?s growth. For information, visit deadmansdash.com ? Dallas-based US Road Sports & Entertainment Group will donate $20 to Hurricane Sandy relief and recovery efforts for each participant, who registers by Nov. 30 for upcoming Dec. 2 Palm Beaches Marathon and/or the Jan. 27, 2013 ING Miami Marathon. Proceeds for each race entry will be split between the charity of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg?s choice and the American Red Cross for Hurricane Aid.
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