Joshua Jennings of the Metro Eagles Track Club in Laurelton won big at the New York Road Runners (NYRR) Youth Jamboree at the New Balance Track and Field Center at the Armory in Washington Heights.
The 8-year-old speedster from St. Albans won first place in the 200-meter dash for his age group.
More than 2,500 runners laced up for the event – and each one of them ran away with a healthy attitude toward physical activity. The city athletes also learned about the importance of staying fit in the daylong event, which also featured a health fair promoting the importance of exercise and nutrition.
The morning events, for kids age 10 and under, included 55 meters, 200 meters, long jump, shot-put, relays and a 55-meter dash just for 4-year-olds. In the afternoon, youths ages 11 to 15 enjoyed the same events plus a 400-meter run and a special invitational 800-meter run for 10 to 12-year-olds.
Best known for organizing the ING New York City Marathon, NYRR began providing youth programs to all city boroughs in 1998.
The NYRR club holds its free youth jamborees four times a year in an attempt to "promote children’s physical fitness, character development and personal achievement in underserved communities." NYRR’s next youth jamboree will be held in May on Randall’s Island.
