VCU news

By Tom Gresham

Kristen Lessig and Jenni Yocco developed the idea for Sportable, a nonprofit organization that provides resources and opportunities for athletes with physical and visual disabilities, in 2005, while they were students in the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education. Today, the organization boasts a full-time staff and an expanding reach, serving both children and adults with a wide range of physical impairments. It also maintains close ties with the university where it was hatched, receiving volunteer support each year from students in the VCU Center for Sport Leadership.

It only made sense that Sportable would be one of the local organizations to jump at the opportunity to participate in VCU’s latest community outreach effort, the Broad Street Mile, which combines a series of one-mile themed fun runs with a street festival featuring university and community organizations and businesses. Nonprofit organizations, such as Sportable, can recruit participants for the races and raise money through entry fees and additional online fundraising campaigns. The event, which is part of the university’s 175th anniversary celebration, also will raise money for scholarships for VCU students.

“There’s definitely a lot of excitement on behalf of our athletes, especially our younger athletes,” said Lessig, who serves as Sportable’s executive director. “It’s a great event for the community.”

The Broad Street Mile will be held on Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both the eastbound and westbound sides of Broad Street between Belvidere Street and Hermitage Road. The fun runs will occur on one side of the street, while the other side will be reserved for the festival and its vendors. The festival will feature music, art, food and fitness demonstrations.

The Broad Street Mile’s emphasis on promoting an active lifestyle in a fun atmosphere, while embracing accessibility, appealed to Lessig and Sportable. Several athletes representing Sportable will participate in the races, including members of a wheelchair training team preparing for an upcoming half marathon.

“Our organization is about transforming lives through sport,” Lessig said. “The more we can be in events in the community like this one, it not only creates opportunities for our athletes, but it also works to change the perceptions that exist of athletes with disabilities.”

Participants are encouraged to run or walk at any speed in any of the 16 fun runs. Organizers hope to see runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. Those who prefer to watch from the sidelines will find a vibrant street festival and plenty to cheer about.

“The Broad Street Mile will provide a festive way for VCU to celebrate its longtime and strong bond with the local community,” said Pamela Lepley, executive director of university relations at VCU. “We are excited to celebrate VCU’s 175th anniversary together with friends in a fun way that benefits some great causes in our community.”

For more information, including online registration, visit www.vcubroadstreetmile.com.

Schedule of one-mile fun runs

The First Mile Sponsored by HDL  – Run in support of first responders such as fire, police, EMS, etc. (Start time: 10:30 a.m.)

VCU Ram Run Sponsored by Nationwide Insurance - Dress in your favorite VCU apparel and come out to support VCU Athletics. (Start time: 10:45 a.m.)

VCU Medical Mile – Dress in your fun scrubs, white coats or even a gurney to represent your medical field and support health-related organizations. (Start time: 11 a.m.)

VCU Alumni Mile – Celebrate the VCU 175th Anniversary by running in your VCU Black & Gold. (Start time: 11:45 a.m.)

FOODIE Mile Sponsored by Owens & Minor - Run with your favorite local restaurants to support hunger relief. Add some fun and dress as your favorite celebrity chef, food-related mascot, or simply wear a restaurant T-shirt. (Start time: noon)

Kids Mascot Mile – Children run with Rodney the Ram and area mascots in support of children’s charities. (Start time: 12:15 p.m.)

Zombie Mile – Dress up and run as ZOMBIES in support of human services organizations. (Start time: 12:30 p.m.)

VCU FreeStyle Mile – VCU Students dress in their creative attire and represent their class year, student organizations, etc. (Start time: 12:45 p.m.)

Spirit Mile Sponsored by Richmond Times-Dispatch - Dress to represent your school or favorite sports team to support education and youth sports. (Start time: 1 p.m.)

Survivor Mile – Run to represent or support individuals who have won and/or fighting their battle with chronic and serious illnesses such as cancer, lupus, MS, etc. (Start time: 1:15 p.m.)

No Limits Mile Sponsored by Dominion - Run with or in support of adults and children with physical disabilities. (Start time: 1:30 p.m.)

Military Mile Sponsored by U.S. Marine Corps - Dress in military-themed attire to honor military veterans and families. (Start time: 1:45 p.m.)

Stroll-A-Mile Sponsored by Window World - Families run together in support of infant- and children-related charities. Add a little fun and dress up with a family theme. (Start time: 2 p.m.)

International Mile Sponsored by EJ Wade Foundation - Dress in attire to represent countries across the globe in support of international charities. (Start time: 2:15 p.m.)

Artsy Mile – Dress up and run as your favorite musician, actor or artist in support of arts and cultural organizations. (Start time: 2:30 p.m.)

The RVA EXTRA Mile Sponsored by Venture Richmond – Go the RVA EXTRA MILE and do something crazy and out of the box, or wear your favorite RVA gear! (Start time: 2:45 p.m.)

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