A Program of Students Run Philly Style
Mentorship + Achievement = Impact
I Run This City transforms students’ lives through running and mentorship. We pair volunteer mentors with teams of students to inspire them to push themselves further than they ever imagined. Their goal: the completion of a full or a half marathon. The courage and effort required, the unfailing support of a caring mentor and the thrill of its ultimate achievement results in a student who knows anything is possible.
Our impact
41%
of students increased their GPA
50%
of students decreased their violent behavior
80%
of students increased or maintained high levels of self-confidence
99.5%
of students were promoted to the next grade
91%
of 12th-grade students graduated high school
90%
of those graduates were accepted into a 4-year college
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
“SRPS has made me resilient and has taught me that being uncomfortable is okay. Just because something is hard doesn’t mean it’s impossible, no matter how much your mind tells you otherwise.”
–Michael, 13
Fostering Resilience
Long-distance running is an exercise in endurance. Paired with a supportive mentor who trains alongside them, students prove they can continue to push forward regardless of how far away the finish line may seem. Endurance is habit forming, and as students learn to set and accomplish goals physically, these skills transfer to problem-solving elsewhere.
Much like the road to success, long-distance running is not a straight line. There are steps forward and setbacks that arise. To keep moving forward, students must be patient, dedicated, and essentially, resilient. These learned behaviors teach students that success in a race does not depend on being the fastest, but rather on crossing the finish line. By applying these learned behaviors, students learn the value of showing up and troubleshooting challenges.
Students learn that the road to success is not always clear, but with persistence and determination, they can create a road to achievement that is ultimately their own.
