“I see running as a platform, not only for me to pursue a passion of mine, but also to reach people and impart wisdom I’ve learned so far in my running career. I want to be a light to others.”
[Abbey D’Agostino—a seven-time NCAA champ at Dartmouth—is now running for New Balance under the guidance of Mark Coogan.]
Right: “My brother is the biggest reason why I’m running. He just graduated from college. … I’ve learned to just keep at it. Running allows you to stay fit and make good connections.”
[Note: Both run at Heritage High School, and the team recently returned from its Rifle River cross-country camp—39 guys were at the camp. In the summer, Monday through Friday is optional conditioning, but about 30 guys attend each session.]
The first annual Joana’s Miles 5K Trail Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run took place yesterday morning at Imerman Memorial Park in Saginaw Township, Michigan. I attended the race to do work for Hooray Run, but I left with much more than that.
An excerpt from The Township Times: “All proceeds benefit the Joana D. McKeoun Memorial Scholarship, which is administered by the Saginaw Community Foundation and awarded to a graduating Heritage High School senior each year. It was established in 2013 in honor and memory of Joana McKeoun, who graduated from Heritage High School in 2010 and passed away on October 4, 2013 after a five year battle with brain cancer.”
I was able to talk with Joana’s mother, Tina Walsh, and Joana’s boyfriend, Adam. They were grateful for the enormous turnout and the $3,000+ raised. Joana ran cross country at White Pine and Heritage.
For the second annual race next year, HR will look to do a longer feature. It’s for a great cause, and it’s a family-friendly atmosphere. The previous two photos posted on HR were taken at the race. Photographed here is Adam, the aforementioned boyfriend of Joana.
“A group of nine of us are running the Chicago Marathon in October. Each of us will raise $1,000 or more for the American Brain Tumor Association. … I hope runners leave [this race] inspired and remember that running is a privilege.”
“What was the best part of the one-mile run?”
Right: “I got a cupcake after I finished.”
“Do you think every race should give out cupcakes after you finish?”
Right: “Yes!”
“This was your first race and you both like running, and do you have a favorite sport?”
Left: “Hockey!”
[Prior to this question, his mom told me he plays all kinds of sports. He couldn’t hold back his smile when he expressed his love for hockey.]
“I’m walking on to Baylor’s cross-country team. It’s my last year in Waco, my senior year, and I thought it’d be worth a try. I know some girls who have taken two or three minutes off their 5K PRs while running there, so I’d like to see what I can do.”
Hooray Run 