'They fit just right': Kids of Steel at Acmetonia Elementary win running shoes

Some students at Acmetonia Elementary School will now be running in style.

Representatives from Kids of Steel, a program that promotes healthy living for children and families, presented red, white and blue Brooks Trace running shoes for each of the 28 fifth- and sixth-grade students at Acmetonia’s running club Wednesday.

Kids of Steel is a program of P3R, an organization that manages the Pittsburgh Marathon and other running events.

Acmetonia started its chapter of Kids of Steel last year and it rapidly became popular, said coach McCall Emerick. The club meets twice a week after school for about an hour.

“The hour goes by so quickly, and they love it,” Emerick said.

The program aims to promote healthy lifestyles and get students up and moving. They also talk about personal hygiene and health, Emerick said.

Ultimately, they’ll participate in the Pittsburgh Kids Marathon on May 4.

Across the Pittsburgh area, Kids of Steel has 251 sites, said Hunter Confair, Kids of Steel’s program manager. Kids of Steel offers site grants for equipment to facilitate running, like shoes, other equipment or transportation to get to the marathon.

“Our goal is to get kids up and moving in a fun and positive way that doesn’t focus on competition,” Confair said.

Emerick said shoes were a need at Acmetonia. She said many students don’t have running shoes. Sneakers aren’t the best for long distance running.

“Having running shoes is huge for these kids,” she said.

Kids of Steel gives kids a chance to be active and learn healthy habits, Emerick said.

“A lot of kids need an after-school activity, this happens to be it for them. It’s perfect,” she said.

Students got the sneakers at the beginning of practice. The shoes got rave reviews.

“They’re good,” said sixth-grader Shane Clark. “They feel soft at the bottom.”

He said Kids of Steel is fun. He enjoys running and playing games with his friends.

Kayla Mager, a sixth grader, said she likes to run. The program gives students a chance to be with friends and have fun.

“It’s a space where everybody can be themselves,” she said.

She also liked her shoes.

“They fit just right,” she said. “They’re pretty comfortable.”