Our 10 new chapters are wrapping their very first season—and it’s been a tremendous success! With over 900 participants and 160 dedicated volunteers, we’re building momentum toward an incredible future! Let’s take a look at some of the season’s highlights:
Chapter Spotlight: Run Charlottesville
Run C’ville, our founding chapter, is celebrating another remarkable season of unmatched growth and impact. This year, co-presidents Justin Rogers and Sam Romano stepped into leadership with ambitious goals, successfully expanding our program to welcome kids aged 3-12. Broadening the age range of our participants and increasing involvement from a diverse range of UVA sports teams, we've been able to introduce a wider variety of sports and team-building activities, enriching the experience for all participants.
Running activities for over 200 kids is no small task, but thanks to 35 dedicated volunteers from 7 different UVA sports teams (and a trusty megaphone) we’ve reached new heights in volunteer engagement, enhancing the support and mentorship we offer each child.
The relationships built here are the heart of Run C’ville. “For the youngest kids, we are like another friend for playtime,” Justin reflects. “But as they grow older, they begin to see us as trusted mentors.” One special connection that’s warmed our hearts is with a little girl from the Orange Tigers (our 3-5 age group), who loves holding hands with her coaches during warmups, cooldowns, and everything in between. She embodies the trust and mentorship we work so hard to cultivate.
Our participation rates have remained consistently high all season, reflecting the enthusiasm of both the children and our volunteers. We’re thrilled about the impact we’re making in Charlottesville and look forward to building on this success in the seasons ahead!
Huge Shoutout to New Chapter: Run Providence at Brown University
Run Providence had an incredible debut season! With over 30 volunteers (mostly Brown University student-athletes) and more than 100 participants, chapter leaders Jenna Lowrey and Simone Dunbar have built something truly special.
Right from the start, the kids dove into team spirit, creating team names and posters to represent their age groups. They quickly bonded, united by fun and sports. A truly touching moment was seeing how naturally inclusive the kids were with a teammate who has Down syndrome. “The innocence of kids creates an inclusive environment—they saw him, most importantly, as another friend and teammate,” Jenna shares.
To keep things lively, each session had a unique theme. One especially memorable day focused on positive affirmations, where kids wrote messages like “I am strong and capable” on posters. Leaders and volunteers were deeply moved by the kids’ excitement and openness. Simone recalls a particularly special moment when they invited their coach, an Olympic athlete from Jamaica, to race day. Cami, one of the young Run Providence participants, was overjoyed to share with her friends that she had met an Olympian and told them about her own dream to become one someday.
Run Providence has made an impact that goes far beyond the track, and we’re so excited to watch this chapter continue to thrive in the seasons ahead!
Coming Up: Run Bugesera Fundraiser!
This holiday season, we’re raising funds for our annual Run Bugesera camp in Rwanda, a program close to our hearts.
What is Run Bugesera?
Run Bugesera is a week-long sports camp we hold each year in partnership with Rwanda Children, bringing together hundreds of children to build community through sports. During the 7-day camp, we provide thousands of meals and snacks, health insurance, and free dental care to kids who need it most.
Help Us Reach Our Goal!
Our goal this year is to raise $10,000 to support these incredible kids and the Bugesera community. And as always, 100% of donations go directly to making a difference in their lives. Let’s keep building this impact together!
Interested in a RYC Sweatshirt?
We’re gearing up to launch our first-ever RYC sweatshirts! Think cozy, high-quality, and full of RYC pride—perfect for chilly days and post-run hangs. To make sure no one misses out, we’re gauging interest. This isn’t a commitment, just a way for us to get a sense of how many to order.
And, most importantly, thank you!
We couldn’t do any of this without your incredible support. Keep an eye out for more updates—we’re just getting started, and the best is yet to come! Thank you for being on this journey with us.
With love & high fives,
Lena on behalf of the Run Your City team
Want to hear more chapter highlights? Follow us on LinkedIn!
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