News Release 

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Sarah McInerney

Minnesota Distance Running Association

hello@runmdra.org

Minneapolis, Minn. – Lucy Laney Running Club, based out of the Lucy Craft Laney Community School in Minneapolis, is the 2019 Community Giving Grant Recipient through the Minnesota Distance Running Association Foundation (MDRA).

Sarah Hodges, a MDRA member and Lucy Laney school psychologist, saw the positive impact that running made on young women and the lack of running role models in the community. Ms. Hodges and the Lucy Laney social workers formed a running group of 5th grade girls three years ago. The grant funds will go toward the fall running club.

Currently, the group has enough funds for 10-11 girls which helps provide race registration, apparel, and transportation to race events. With the grant funding, they can expand to 20 girls and potentially include some 3rd and 4th grade girls as well. The school does not fund the running club and the leaders are volunteers.

The $500 MDRA Foundation Community Giving Grant is awarded each year to help organizations promote youth participation; provide training and education to runners; and to support the running community.

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The Minnesota Distance Running Association is a membership supported group whose goal is to connect the Minnesota running community and support runners of all ages and abilities through education, programs, and advocacy. The group organizes a number of running events and training classes during the year in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. More information about the MDRA Foundation.

Lucy Craft Laney Community School is located at 3333 Penn Avenue, Minneapolis within the Minneapolis Public School District. Student demographics include: Native American (3%), African American (88%), Asian American (2%), Hispanic American (2%), and White American (5%). 14% of students receive English Learning Language Services, 97% qualify for free or reduced lunch, and 18% receive Special Education Services.

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