9 November, 2015
The desire to inspire program will enter it's 3rd year at Hopkinton Middle School. The program implemented a marathon based curriculum for students and relates the marathon to school courses such as math and history. One of the goals of the program is to inspire students to achieve a goal. Last year each student wrote a goal they are hoping to achieve during the year and it was posted around the school leading to the Marathon. The Middle School also implemented the desire to inspire 2.62 mile run or walk which each student participates in. You can see highlights from last years here.
In the below video Executive Director of the 26.2 Foundation, Tim Kilduff gave an update about the program to the Board of Selectmen. Kilduff stated in the presentation that "Hopkinton has a running footprint" he pointed out cross country participation has risen significantly and the Middle School has "90 participants". Kilduff mentioned that the 26.2 foundation is looking to build a new cross country course and eventually a Boston Marathon Center.
Chair of the Selectmen Ben Palleiko praised the 26.2 Foundation for constantly keeping in contact with the happenings of the program and their goals "of all the private groups we work with in this private public kind of way, you're by far the best at coming in, telling us what's going on, telling us what you've done, telling us what you need from us...it's great that you come in and have an ask, we like it when people come in and we can do things".
The Selectmen unanimously felt the cross country course would be a great addition to the trails and the community. Palleiko stated; "anything that enhances the trail network, the community will like." Kilduff mentioned that the 26.2 foundation plans to use private money to fund the project.
For more details check out the video below!
