By David Freeze
South YMCA Offers New Speed and Agility Clinic
I made my weekly visit to Facebook and a few days ago noticed that the J. Fred Corriher South Rowan YMCA was offering a new and interesting class. Perfect for runners of any age, I thought, and quickly decided to find out more.
Pfeiffer University athlete Andrew Huffman will graduate there in May 2027 with an Exercise Science Degree. Huffman is an award-winning athlete in indoor and outdoor track, a NCAA track MVP and NC State Champion who also competes in cross country. He has a passion for helping runners learn the mechanics and skills needed to become the fastest runner they can be.
The Speed and Agility Clinic is a 4-week program that will meet twice a week for one-hour sessions. The program is aimed to help athletes of all ages improve speed, coordination, confidence and athletic performance to become faster and more explosive for any sport.
Ashley Pethel, South Rowan Branch Health and Wellness Coordinator, said, “Andrew was recently hired as a personal trainer here at the South Y and in talking with him we discovered he has a passion for helping others; runners specifically. As a runner himself, Andrew has seen the results with his running when given the proper tools and techniques. These tools helped him excel in his sports and he wanted to share that passion with others. Since there is a large population of young athletes in our area who will soon if not already begin serious cross-country training, we thought that a clinic to help these runners learn +would be the perfect fit for everyone involved. Since running for adults is also very popular in our area and with the competitive fall season just ahead, the program is open to anyone. We are excited to offer this program to members and potential members to help prepare athletes for their upcoming sports seasons. It will be a great chance to keep athletes conditioned and ready for fall sports as well as to learn new skills to improve overall performance.”
Cost for Y members is free and for potential members, the rate is $160.00. Classes will begin on July 7th. Contact Ashley Pethel at apethel@rocabymca.org or at 704-857-7011.
About 10 days ago, the London Marathon announced officially that for the first time, there will be dual marathons. One running on Saturday, one on Sunday on the same April weekend, at approximately 50,000 runners per day. For many years, the London and New York City Marathons have battled for the largest number of runners competing. In 2006, I competed in the London Marathon, fulfilling a long-wanted bucket list dream. I gave blood two days before flying all night to London by way of Berlin, reached my accommodation in a London YMCA on Saturday morning and ran the 26.2 mile marathon on Sunday morning. I made mistake after mistake, ending with a very poor finish time.
I love London and saw all the tourist things and more but would love to visit again. The marathon is basically flat and much of the race is along the Thames River, finishing in front of Buckingham Palace. Historic locations dot the race course, but because of its tremendous field, the 1000-year-old narrow streets can’t always handle the volume. Three times we stopped dead still and from about halfway, most of the water stops had none. Still, I would do it all again.
Rowan only has one race in July, one of our oldest, the Run for the Greenway 5K and Fun Run on July 18th. Overton School will again be the host venue for this City of Salisbury Parks and Recreation event. Known for his race’s large selection of post-race refreshments, race director and SRR Senior VP Steve Clark said, “Just like me, a lot of the runners and walkers show up for the food! They won’t be disappointed!”
Look for upcoming events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org
