Part of Chartier Valley Elementary School is on display in a new exhibit at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center.
Memorabilia from the school’s Kids of Steel program will be displayed in a locker room-style exhibit in the sports museum. Student William Kopelich’s running gear is highlighted.
Exhibits include William’s racewear, charms, running shoes, and medals from the 2023 Kids Marathon.
William has been participating in the program since he started kindergarten and is currently in third grade at Intermediate School.
He said it was “amazing” that his personal belongings were included in the exhibit.
“It was a surprise that we ended up going to the history museum,” he said.
The Kids of Steel program, managed by P3R, which runs the Pittsburgh Marathon, has chapters in more than 250 schools in Western Pennsylvania. The aim is to promote healthy lives for children and their families.
Although each school’s program operates a little differently, the end goal is the same: have students run a kids’ marathon during the Pittsburgh Marathon weekend each spring.
“When we reimagined the locker room at the Sports Museum, we wanted kids to find themselves in the space and tell the important stories of sports,” said Ann Madaras, director of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum. Ta.
Madaras said the museum chose to focus on the Kids Marathon because it is the largest in the country, with 5,803 children participating from programs across the region in 2023.
Kids of Steel is in its 11th year at Chartier Valley Elementary School, according to teacher and club advisor Shelley Territt. Approximately 25 students participated in the first year, which has since grown to more than 160 students in kindergarten through second grade.
Territt runs the program on Wednesday mornings before going to school. A lifelong runner, Territt aims to not only make running fun, but also educate people about proper running form, pacing, and health. With support from the school’s teachers and principal, she creates a theme that students can run to to the music that goes along with it. It evolved into ornaments, costumes, and inflatables.
“The kids are really having a great time,” she said.
The most motivating thing for children, Territt said, is the “glamour” they get from participating in each practice and the physical reminder of their efforts.
Madaras said William represents the Kids of Steel program and the thousands of people who participate in the marathon.
“This is a great opportunity to talk about our innovative and successful programs that encourage children to exercise and compete while having fun,” she said.
Kellen Stepler is a TribLive reporter covering the Allegheny Valley and Burrell school districts and surrounding areas. He joined the tribe in April 2023. Contact him at kstepler@triblive.com.
