On Sunday March 2nd, the Y participated in the New York Road Runners Salsa, Blues Shamrocks run for kids yet again. We had a wonderful turnout with over 60 kids and their parents ready to run with the Y!
The history of this race can be traced back to our very own neighborhood’s roots. By the turn of the 20th century, Irish immigrants had moved to Washington Heights. As the century moved on, European Jews fled to Washington Heights to escape Nazism during the 1930s and the 1940s. This helped spark the nickname for the Heights “Astoria of Manhattan”, a comparison to the already predominant Irish-Jewish neighborhood in Queens. The Jews and the Irish lived here side by side in harmony for decades, until the next major wave of demographic change appeared. Washington Heights served as a shining example of how different cultures could coexists in the same community.
Since 1917, the Y has been a proud supporter of local neighborhood initiatives. We take pride in being able to share in this event year after year, as we feel it pays homage to the way it was in Washington Heights when we first open our doors. This run is also important to us as it stresses the importance of children staying active and healthy in a time where we are plagued with childhood obesity. The Y is committed to the support of events that promote a healthy and active lifestyle among all of our community members.
Congratulations to all of our runners. We can’t wait to see you next year!
