New York Road Runners Youth Jamboree: A Track & Field & Wellness Event

The sun came out after a cool, rainy week just in time for the New York Road Runners Youth Jamboree, a Track & Field & Wellness Event at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island. Children ages 4 to 10 began the day’s events with the shot put, the long jump, the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, and the 4 x 200-meter relay. The morning’s excitement peaked as the six fastest boys and six fastest girls among the 7- and 8-year-olds ran special 100-meter dashes to qualify for the “Fastest Kid Race”, to be held on June 12 at the adidas Grand Prix at Icahn Stadium. Later, the 11-to-15-year-olds took over and ran the same events, adding the 400-meter run in the afternoon.

Ruth Jaunty, an up-and-coming musical theater actress, sang the national anthem at the opening ceremony. Cliff Sperber, Executive Director of NYRR Youth and Community Services, spoke to the crowd of more than 1,500 children and parents. Every child who participated received an orange NYRR Youth Jamboree T-shirt and an event ribbon and was invited to have a free dental screening provided by Mount Sinai Medical Center.

There was an overwhelming sense that all these young athletes had put their hearts into every event and came away with a feeling of accomplishment after a long, thrilling day of track and field.