It is not a surprise that the first-ever Monroe Mile was won by a Ansu Sowe, an internationally-recognized distance runner who is on the Mustang track team. What is more significant is the nearly 200 runners comprised of Monroe students, athletes, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the local community who ran the streets around the college's New Rochelle campus on Saturday morning in the name of good health, fun, a Homecoming 2012 celebration, and most importantly, to raise money for the New Rochelle Boys and Girls Club.
"This is a lot of what Monroe College has been about for generations," said President Stephen Jerome, who also ran the race, albeit a little slower than Sowe's winning time of 4:38.7 or the 5:55.8 time put in by Mustang Jessica Barerra the women's winner. "We encourage our entire college community to engage in family-oriented activities that support growth and development and we're proud to lead the way."
Team members from Monroe's national champion women's basketball team, baseball and softball teams, and, of course, the track team joined staff members from many of Monroe's schools and administrative offices and New Rochelle residents in the fun run.
The race kicked off at 9:30am, led by Monroe's mascots, MAC and Lady MAC, who rode in a top-down convertible Mustang (what else?) provided by New Rochelle Chevrolet.
Executive Vice President Marc Jerome, who was a track star in college and was the first administrator to cross the finish line in just under six-minutes said that this event and, in fact, all of Monroe's Homecoming 2012, was emblematic of the ongoing commitment of the college.
"Our theme for homecoming this year was "Proud past... promising future," he said. "In today's race, that was all on display as we continually build on the college's traditions to pave the way for healthy and productive citizens of the future. I'm especially proud of our student body, led by our growing athletic program, who came out today in the true Monroe spirit."
Monroe Track coach Mark Goodman in coordination with Andy Kimerling of the Westchester Road Runner supervised the event.
|