Updated 4/24/09

Congratulations to the
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem
Who accepted the Boston Marathon Challenge!


Click here to see their story in the Salem News on 3/26/09.

Nearly 100 Club members ages 5-14 accepted the challenge to run the equivalent of the 26.2 mile Boston Marathon between January 1 and April 17, 2009.

The running program included training with the Salem High School and Lynn Classical Cross Country coaches and teams, group runs with Beth and members of the Wicked Running Club of Salem, and guest speakers such as Paul McGovern, a member of Trek USA run across America.

For their participation, the kids received a Steve's Team bracelet, T Shirt, hat and certificate of participation. They were also invited to stand on home plate at the Red Sox game on Sunday, April 19th to be recognized! One Club member, Qasim El-Ashkar, age 8, completed the entire 26.2 mile challenge and earned a Steve's Team medal- nice work Qasim! The rest of Steve's Team will continue to run with the opportunity to complete their miles by the end of the school year, earning a medal of their own.

Special thanks to Athletic Director Matt Carr who tracked the kids' mileage and coordinated the program, and to Wicked Running Club members who volunteered their time for many of the special events. Thank you to Boys & Girls Club board member and club member parent AnnMarie Sirois who organized the pasta dinner on Friday, April 17th, generously catered by the Salem Waterfront Hotel.



Beth & Steve's Team kids working out on the Salem Commmon.


Wicked Running members help out at a pasta dinner for Steve's Team kids.

Stephen O'Grady with Will Maier at the Boys & Girls Club (1998)