The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Olympic Runner Visits Walter B. Howard Elementary School

By

by Thaddeus Flint
The physical education department of Walter B. Howard Elementary School in New Lebanon recently hosted four-time Australian Olympian Benita Willis.  Willis came to speak to the children on May 31 as part of the 33rd Annual Freihofer’s Run for Women “Elite Athlete Visitation” program.

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Australian Olympic runner Benita Willis poses with kindergarten runner Jared Bruns at Walter B. Howard Elementary School in New Lebanon. Bruns, who is 6, has a medal around his neck after winning an area race recently. Photo by Frank Healy.

The initiative was started in 1993 to provide local kids with an opportunity to meet invited athletes and hear from them about their training schedules, world travel, trips to the Olympic games, and healthy eating habits.  Fourteen elite runners visited 13 Capital Region schools and spoke to more than 5,000 Capital Region children. Willis finished twelfth at the Freihofer’s Run for Women last Saturday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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