Running strong at any age
By Mary Anna Rodabaugh
Dr. Crystle Roye-Gill, 63, believes wholeheartedly in keeping moving as a plan for aging well. As a retired Philadelphia School District principal, Roye-Gill is an avid mentor and runner in Students Run Philly Style’s MileUp program, a diversion program designed to keep students, ages 11-17, out of the criminal justice system. Students Run Philly Style is a nationally recognized program that pairs volunteer running leaders with teams of students to inspire them to push themselves further than they ever imagined. Many students in the program go on to complete 10-mile runs, half-marathons (13.1 miles) and even full marathons (26.2 miles).
As an assistant principal at Richard Allen Preparatory Charter School, in West Philadelphia, from 1999-2009 and principal at Thomas Holme Elementary School, in Northeast Philadelphia, Roye-Gill has always had a passion for molding and supporting children. During her time as an educator, she enjoyed teaching and hanging out with kids while listening to their perspectives on life.
“I enjoyed viewing their innocence and watching their ‘light bulb moments,’” says Roye-Gill.
The blue shirts
The children and teens of Students Run Philly Style are known for running races in the area while donning bright blue t-shirts with neon yellow lettering. While running with her daughter in a stroller, Roye-Gill noticed the blue shirts whizzing past her and wanted to learn more about the organization.
“Once I became a principal and had the autonomy to bring this program into my school, I found a teacher who was familiar and very eager to lead the program,” says Roye-Gill, who retired as principal of Thomas Holme Elementary School in 2023. The Students Run Philly Style program still continues at the school.
Unlike her students, Roye-Gill did not start her running journey in her elementary school or teen years.
“I made a vow during my dissertation work in 2013 to actually begin to enter runs in the area, specifically to do a half-marathon at the close of my doctoral work,” Roye-Gille says.
Roye-Gill has competed in several Philadelphia area races multiple times, then added the Nashville Rock ‘n’ Roll half-marathon as her retirement treat in 2023. During this trip, Roye-Gill met a couple on their retirement trip who completed their first 5K that same weekend. She appreciates it when others are influenced to try running – at any age.
Lace up and try
Roye-Gill enjoys running because she loves the idea of setting goals and accomplishing them. “This can be done at any age with running or even just walking through a run,” she says.
With a little support from the program’s mentors, participants in Students Run Philly Style can begin to learn what it means to set a goal and accomplish it with a bit of effort. Roye-Gill hopes teens will see how these skills will transfer into goal setting for their lives.
The Philadelphia running community is an inclusive and supportive group of individuals who will always cheer you on, no matter how fast – or slow – you run. In the 2024 Broad Street Run, the oldest runner was 92 years old.
If you are considering adding running or long-distance walking to your exercise routine, be sure to consult your physician first. You may want to purchase proper running shoes from a local running shoe store so you can get the proper fit for comfort and maximum benefit. If you aren’t sure where to start, just ask a runner.
To become involved with Students Run Philly Style, call 267-930-3546 or visit StudentsRunPhilly.org.
Philadelphia Runner also has three running groups around the city that are free to join and each run three to five miles. For more information, go to PhiladelphiaRunner.com/content/philly-run-clubs or call 215-972-8333 (Center City), 215-662-5100 (University City), or 267-336-7409 (Manayunk).
Mary Anna Rodabaugh is a writer, editor and writing coach.
