National Nursing Centers Consortium, Inc.
Philadelphia, PA

Written by Laura Line, Deputy Executive Director

Running Ahead

All those long runs leading up to the Philadelphia marathon gave Khalil time to think.  He knew what he wanted, he just didn’t know if he could get it.  His team leader, Mr. John, kept telling him it was within his reach.  Khalil, a slim, muscular 17-year-old, just was not sure.  His three older brothers and sisters did not get into college.  Actually one of them didn’t even try, thinking it was just too tough.

So when Khalil got his college acceptance letter, he was stunned.  After leaping around the house, bringing his family running with hugs and tears, he called Mr. John.

“Man, I did it.  I got in.  I thought when I finished the marathon, that was going to be my big deal this year.  But I got in.”  Mr. John knew just how big a deal this was for Khalil.  Growing up in a rough West Philly neighborhood, kids like Khalil were lucky to graduate from high school without getting shot.  Now he was the first ever in his family to get into college.  But Mr. John also knew that Khalil’s joy might end when it came time to make it happen.  Although Khalil’s family worked—his stepdad did shift work, his mom worked at a childcare center—college tuition was way beyond their means, even with a little help.  The last thing Mr. John wanted to do now, though, was to stomp on Khalil’s joy.  So he and Khalil went out to celebrate, laughing and pigging out on pizza.

Khalil could not contain his excitement, so in January he went to visit the Admissions Office.  He got in line with the group of students there and waited his turn.  “Hi, I’m Khalil Johnson and I just wanted to come by and thank you for accepting me.”  The woman behind the counter looked a little stunned and didn’t say anything.  But behind her a 40-something, lanky admissions officer said, “You are quite welcome, young man. Why don’t you come on back and we’ll talk some more about it?”  Walking into his office, Khalil glanced around and his eye immediately stopped on the photo of a man crossing the recent Philadelphia marathon finish line.  Mr. Williams saw him looking at it.  “That was my first time running 26 miles.  I think I’m still a little sore,” he chuckled.  “Still loved it though.”

“Yeah, me too,” Khalil mumbled.  It was Mr. Williams turn to look stunned.  “Really?” And so the conversation continued.  Khalil talked about his runs with his new buddies and Mr. John, putting his miles in on the trails in Fairmount Park week after week.  “I would never imagine getting up early Saturday mornings, when I used to be on the corners every Friday night.” 

Khalil talked about crossing the finish line and the medal hanging in his room.  Mr. Williams was so impressed after hearing Khalil tell his marathon story, he knew Khalil was not your average high school kid.  An hour later, Khalil walked out of his office with a full scholarship.  “Son,” Mr. Williams had told him, “if you can set your mind to something as hard as training and running 26 miles, you can do even more as a student here.”

Khalil smiled.  He was ready to go farther than he ever thought possible.

The reason I tell you this story is because Students Run Philly Style is far more than a training program for a marathon.  It’s about youths developing positive relationships and taking risks.  It’s about youths setting goals and meeting their potential.

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