American Development Program Ambassadors Inspire Pittsburgh Youth to Run GNC Live Well Liberty Mile
Top U.S. Milers Leo Manzano, Jordan McNamara & Heather Kampf and 200 kids part of Giant Eagle Kids of STEEL program and the Summer Dreamers Academy 5-week summer partnership
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – This summer, 2012 Olympic silver medalist Leo Manzano, along with professional Milers and American Development Program ambassadors Jordan McNamara and Heather Kampf will encourage and inspire Pittsburgh’s youth to stay active and eat healthy through the Giant Eagle Kids of STEEL program and the Summer Dreamers Academy partnership.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting the Summer Dreamers,” said Kampf, who is the two-time defending champion of the GNC Live Well Liberty Mile. “I love sharing my passion for running and always try to leave them with the message that all things are possible for them. You can never be told that enough.”
Manzano, McNamara and Kampf, who are also racing in the GNC Live Well Liberty Mile on Friday evening, August 1, 2014, will serve as honorary coaches during the 5-week GNC Live Well Liberty Mile training program. The training program is a partnership between the Kids of STEEL program and the Summer Dreamers Academy, a Pittsburgh Public Schools program.
The Kids of STEEL program provides coaching, running gear and nutritional education to approximately 200 elementary and middle school students participating in the Summer Dreamers Program. Manzano, Kampf and McNamara will meet the participants and coach them during the final week of the program.
Once the students complete their training, they will get the opportunity to run the Kids of STEEL wave at the GNC Live Well Liberty Mile. Afterwards, they are encouraged to watch the American Development Pro Mile wave and cheer on Manzano, McNamara and Kampf, along with other top American Milers.
“Leo, Jordan and Heather truly exemplify the spirit of the American Development Program,” said Patrice Matamoros, CEO of Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. “Their dedication to the sport and their desire to give back to the community is what this program is all about. We look forward to seeing them race against the best at the GNC Live Well Liberty Mile on August 1.”
The American Development Program Pro Mile is the second of three events this year in Pittsburgh’s inaugural American Development Program that offers exposure and incentives to America’s best runners. The program kicked off with the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon and UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon on May 4 and culminates with the EQT Pittsburgh 10-Miler on November 9.
Click here to learn more about the 3rd GNC Live Well Liberty Mile.
If you are interested in donating to support the partnership with the Summer Dreamers Academy, click here.
About the GNC Live Well Liberty Mile
Organized by Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc., the GNC Live Well Liberty Mile is Pittsburgh’s premier street race for all ages and abilities. The GNC Live Well Liberty Mile offers a $25,000 prize purse with $4000 for each American Pro Mile champion. The event is the fourth stop on the 2014 Bring Back the Mile Tour.
For more event information, visit LibertyMile.org and follow us on Twitter @LibertyMile and Instagram PghMarathon and use hashtag #LibertyMile
