Group seeks national draw
Black Girls RUN! designates race as national meet-up
GUILDERLAND — Black Girls RUN!, whose Albany chapter has participated in the Freihofer’s Run for Women for several years, is promoting the event to its national membership for this year’s edition of the 5-kilometer road race on June 3 in Albany.
Black Girls RUN! is designating this year’s Freihofer’s Run for Women as a national meetup. The organization, which has the stated goal of motivating Black women to practice a healthy lifestyle, lists 76 national chapters on its Web site.
Founded in 2009, Black Girls RUN! describes a national meetup as a “reunion on the pavement” with extra swag given to Black Girls RUN! participants.
Olivia Frempong, Albany ambassador for Black Girls RUN!, said at a news conference last week she hopes at least 300 women from her organization will sign up for the Freihofer’s Run for Women, which starts and ends on Washington Avenue in front of Albany City Hall. Frempong said more than 100 have already signed up.
“The mission within Black Girls RUN! is that no woman is left behind and it’s your race, your pace,” Frempong said. “It just really meshes with what the Freihofer’s principle and mission is all about as well. It’s about getting from the start line to the finish line safely and having fun with it as well. It’s just an honor to be in partnership with the Freihofer’s Run this year and it’s going to be an amazing experience.”
Frempong said she expected strong turnout from Black Girls RUN! chapters in New York City and Boston. There is also a Buffalo/rochester chapter.
There were 1,960 overall finishers from ages 4 to 91 in last year’s Freihofer’s Run for Women, which will celebrate its 45th running this year.
The Freihofer’s Run for Women also announced it is beginning its 13th Training Challenge to help women prepare for the race. The Training Challenge is held in partnership with the Capital District YMCA and its eight locations.
The 11-week program begins
March 20. It offers three workouts per week, including Wednesdays at a YMCA location. The $55 cost includes a YMCA membership for the duration of the Training Challenge.
The Training Challenge offers programs for walking, a combination of walking and running and beginner, intermediate and advanced running.
“We really feel like we cover the gamut and our goal is to get more women out there, get them participating in the Freihofer’s Run for Women and our partnership with the Y is critical,” Freihofer’s Run for Women event director Kristen Hislop said.