Learning To Fly: First-time runners with The Marathon Project tackle Bridge Run with expert assistance

By Pete Colaizzo • Poughkeepsie Journal • May 8, 2008

It's a sight local running fans have seen countless times in the past 20 years - that of Mike Slinskey heading toward the finish line in first place. There he was again Saturday at the 26th annual Dutchess County YMCA Bridge Run 5-kilometer race, ahead of the pack as usual.

But after he crested the tape at Eastman Park in 16 minutes, 29 seconds - well ahead of his pursuers - there was this refreshing, uplifting sight: Mike Slinskey doubling back out on the course along Lincoln Avenue, cheering on young finishers and even jogging in with them as they completed their first-ever road races.

More than yet another victory for Slinskey and women's winner Marisa Hanson (fifth overall, 18:18), that tableau will be what the YMCA Bridge Run will be remembered for in 2008.

Those young runners took the roads by storm. There were 114 of them in total, from The Marathon Project. Add to that the 40 Marathon Project adult mentors out there making sure these youthful newbies found their way to the finish line safely, and what you have is a movement of movement that is bordering on a fitness revolution. Still in its infancy, this Dutchess County-based initiative is on the verge of becoming a national story in its scope and size.

Consider: Of the 355 finishers in Saturday's race, fully 46 percent of them were affiliated with The Marathon Project.

"It was great,'' said Slinskey of the project entrants. "I talked to a bunch of the kids after the race, and I think they appreciated it.''

Slinskey recalled one youngster, in particular, who he saw before the race nervously pinning on his number. The kid's mentor said the number was pinned on perfectly, and Slinskey joked how he never gets his just right. Sure enough, later that morning Slinskey saw him huffing and puffing toward the finish line. That kid recognized the speedy adult, smiled and high-fived him on his way to the finish line.

Race director Karen Feeley said she and the rest of the onlookers were thrilled to have Slinskey back in front at the race after an absence of several years. Slinskey's upbeat and positive demeanor have always made him a fan favorite. This year, with his impromptu post-race clinic for the kids, he became sort of the positive Pied Piper of the YMCA Bridge Run.

"We haven't seen him in years,'' she said of Slinskey, "and it was really exciting to see him back here.''

Of The Marathon Project, Feeley said: "It really brought back the enthusiasm of running. To see the number of kids that have picked up the sport of running, it's a really good thing. This was one of our biggest years ever.''

The Marathon Project's mission is summed up by its motto: Empowering Youth Through Running. The initiative is sponsored by The Council on Addiction Prevention and Education of Dutchess County Inc. (CAPE). According to project coordinator Susanne O'Neil, it uses running as a venue for prevention.

"Through this initiative, CAPE addresses many of the serious issues that our youth are faced with today,'' she said, "such as obesity, tobacco use, alcoholism, substance abuse and school dropout.''

In its first year, The Marathon Project worked with children from the Beacon and Poughkeepsie city school districts, as well as with the Dutchess County Department of Probation. Because of its overwhelming success and popularity, this year the project has added the following groups to its rolls, thus increasing its size and scope: Webutuck Central Schools, The North East Community Center in Millerton and the Poughkeepsie Children's Home. O'Neil said CAPE's long-term plan is to go countywide with this initiative and have it available for all-at risk youth in all schools throughout Dutchess County and beyond.

An integral part of the program's success comes from the adult mentors - many of whom come from the Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club and the local running community. Although he was not formally in that role during Saturday's race, afterwards Slinskey added to the mentoring efforts. At the same time, he realizes the importance of the mentors.

"They are doing such a great job,'' he said. "They are always attentive to each and every kid. It's really awesome to see.''

The Marathon Project culminates with the Philadelphia Marathon and Half Marathon in November. Along the way, the 33-week intervention program offers several perks for the youths involved:

• More than 100 hours of training.
• More than 75 hours of one-on-one mentoring with a trained, positive adult role model.
• Competition in 11 races, including transportation.
• Participation in special events such as nutrition workshops, Boys & Girls Only Day and a victory party.
• Assortment of incentives such as running shoes, T-shirts, water bottles, hats, backpacks, etc.

"The best benefit,'' O'Neil said, "is the positive mental and physical changes one makes with in the program. In the 2007 season, youth involved reported improved academic performance, physical fitness, relationships, problem solving and healthy lifestyles - choosing healthy alternatives over destructive options.''

For more information or to partner by Giving Local First, call the CAPE office at: 845-471-0194 or log onto www.mhrrc.org.

Reach Pete Colaizzo at pcolaizzo@gannett.com or 845-437-4848.