Starting the week of February 5, middle-school students at PS/IS 217 can join the Roosevelt Island "Running Partners Team," a free after-school running program sponsored by the New York Road Runners Foundation.

Running Partners is an initiative of the New York Road Runners Club with leadership provided by Grete Waitz, Chair and nine-time winner of the New York Marathon, and Allan Steinfeld, President of the New York Road Runners Club and Race Director of the New York City Marathon. Programs similar to this one are in place in 12 city schools where there are few or no extracurricular sports programs. Running Partners expects to have 23 schools involved by the end of 2001.

Two trained coaches will be provided by Running Partners. Frank Cherry will volunteer as coach from Roosevelt Island, together with Ms. Kaye Kerr, the Middle School math teacher, who will coach and will be the point of contact within the school. Jennifer Stockbridge, Running Partners Program Director, will provide overall supervision, on and off site.

All middle-schoolers, no matter how fast, experienced, or fit, are eligible. The only requirements, according to Cherry, are the desire to run and the commitment to work hard and be a responsible team member. Practices will take place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. starting on February 5, rain or shine. On-island contact can be made with Cherry at 486-2377 or with Ms. Kerr at the School, 980-0294. There's more information about the New York Road Runners Foundation and Running Partners on the program's website, www.nyrrc.org/divisions/foundation.

In addition to weekly practices, participants will receive team uniforms, a monthly newsletter, distance patches, a regularly-updated website, the opportunity to meet and run with elite runners such as Grete Waitz, and optional participation in races sponsored by the New York Road Runners Club at no cost. The group also organizes road running events in Central Park, track events at several city locations, and cross country events in Van Cortlandt Park, so that participants are exposed to all three running sports.

The philosophy underpinning the Running Partners program is that participation and achievement in running can lead to superior academic performance and the building of character traits such as perseverance and self-esteem, and social skills such as teamwork, camaraderie, and lasting friendships.

Parents and teachers are urged to discuss with their children this great opportunity to be a member of a dynamic team, to get in shape, meet new friends, and set goals for achievement and success.