RUNNING TO INSPIRE
Freihofer’s Run participant visits Dorothy Nolan school
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Two days before Allie Kieffer races at Freihofer’s Run for Women 5K, she shared her story to students at Dorothy Nolan Elementary School Thursday morning, hoping to inspire.
Students listened to Kieffer speak about how she began running at 5, the death of her sister 11 years ago and placing fifth in the New York City Marathon with a time of 2:29:39. Students even participated in a warm-up with the professional runner in the school’s gymnasium before a Q&A.
“I really love being able to talk the kids, and I especially like the questions because then you get to directly heard what they’re interested in,” the Buffalo native said. “I’ve been having a lot of fun.”
On Saturday, more than 3,000 women of all ages will compete in the 40th Freihofer’s run. Kieffer’s one of a dozen or so professional runners competing.
“It’s super cool just to support women’s running, and I run for a clothing brand that supports women’s running. I totally believe in that,” Kieffer said. “I think it’s crazy that it took so long for people to realize that women can run, even marathons, so I like being apart of races like this and I think that directors and the people setting up the race for Saturday just do a really amazing jobs and make us feel really good about coming and being at schools. It’s just all part of what a community that runners are, so I want to be apart of that.”
Throughout the week, Kieffer has visited several schools in the area to share stories about perseverance, the importance of exercise and answering all sorts of questions from jubilant children.
“Kids are really interested in stories, and I feel like that’s the most important message that I can give them is to just keep persevering. Obviously most of the kids haven’t gone through death or something crazy yet but things are close,” Kieffer said. “In high school you start going through actual troubles and issues, and if we can set them up with the message to continue through I think
a lot of kids will pursue it. They just need that message and one person can change their whole direction of their lives. If I can help one of the kids, it was worth it.”
Dorothy Nolan Elementary School has hosted elite athletes before physical education Andy Cuthbertson explained. The high school girls’ cross country coaches initially approached the school a few years ago to see if there was interest in athletes talking to students about being a professional and the character development that comes with running.
“It’s a great connection in terms of what we teach here with physical education. We do a running unit,” said Cuthbertson. “I think it’s nice for the kids some who’s an adult and does this professionally, maybe some of the kids in the audience are aspiring to be runners and it gives them some hope.”