Public Invited to Watch Woonsocket Runner in NYC Race Saturday At C-3 Center

Steeplechase champ David Goodman, runner for Woonsocket's New England Distance, takes on some of the nation's top runners in NYC Saturday, and you're invited to watch the action at the C-3 Center.

New England Distance, an athlete-in-residence fellowship program funded through donations from the local running community and partnership arrangements, launched in Woonsocket in August. They're celebrating their first year with two events - the first a viewing party for Goodman's run at 3 p.m., the second a meet and greet Tuesday at Rhode Runner in Providence, 7 p.m.

NE Distance athletes live, train and work in the Woonsocket community, in housing developed by NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley (NWBRV), spending half their days training to represent New England at top national and international races and the other half of their days tutoring, coaching and mentoring local youth through one of the Woonsocket After-School Coalition programs (WASC) organizations, tutoring, mentoring, and coaching local youth. 

The program provides its athletes the basics they need to be able to train to be their best: Housing, part-time work, sports medicine injury prevention and physical therapy, a stipend to travel to races and places to train. 

People interested in supporting NE Distance can purchase “shares” in the team via their web site, www.nedistance.org.  Shares are not redeemable like shares in a for-profit company, but shareholders are invited to the annual meetings to meet the athletes and vote on key decisions for the group.

Details for the events include:

For Families – Track Party at the C-3 Center, Saturday, Feb. 2, 3-5:30 p.m.  David Goodman, NE Distance’s first athlete fellow, the 2011 National NCAA DII champion in the 3000 meter Steeplechase, will be competing in the Open Mile at Armory Collegiate Invitational in New York City. He'll be going against some of the top runners in the country.

The meet will be broadcast live and the free viewing party will be held at the C-3 Community Center, where David tutors kids after school.  Healthy snacks will be available through a generous donation from Whole Foods in Bellingham, MA.  The C-3 Center is located at 120 North East St. in Woonsocket (Enter on Sayles St.).

For Adults – NE Distance Shareholder Party at Rhode Runner in Providence, Tuesday Feb. 5 from 7-9 p.m. Come meet the NE Distance Fellows and learn about the program’s first year, plans for 2013, where the athletes will be competing and how they are training and working in the community. 

Snacks will be available through a donation by Whole Foods, University Heights in Providence.  Rhode Runner is located at 657 N. Main Street in Providence.  Please bring gently used winter running gear and shoes to donate to the Woonsocket High School Track Team.