Elite distance runner Kevin Castille will be visiting the kids who participate in the YMCA’s Run This Town program on Wednesday, May 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the North Lexington Family YMCA.
Just last month, Castille, who resides in Nicholasville, shattered the American masters (ages 40 and older) for the 10,000 meters at the Stanford Invitational. At age 40, he turned in a time of 28 minutes, 57.88 seconds, easily beating the previous record by more than a minute. He also set the American masters record for 5,000 meters at 14:00.9.
Castille, whose story is one of tragedy and triumph after overcoming sexual abuse and drugs to now be world-class runner, share portions of his motivational and inspiring story with the youth in the Run This Town program.
Run This Town, which launched in 2011, is a running group for youth ages 10-18. Adult mentors run with the participants and help them prepare for a 10k. The program is offered for free to Y members and non-members alike and each participant can earn a free pair of running shoes.
The current Run This Town class has 22 participants. Most of the participants had never participated in a running program before and many began the program barely able to run a mile. The program helps them learn the benefits of healthy habits while making new friends, adults to look up to and the confidence that comes from positive results.
“Participating in a running group helps youth develop self-confidence and pride in accomplishment,” says Elissa Roycraft, Sports and Program Director at the Beaumont Centre Family YMCA. “It’s also a great way to meet new people and make life-long friends.”
Run This Town is held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. at the North Lexington Family YMCA. For more information, please contact Elissa Roycraft at 219-9622, ext. 15 or eroycraft@ymcaofcentralky.org