Abdel Khalil: De campeón de Playground Freeze Tag a líder del programa Rising NYRR
Abdel Khalil (center) with two of his Nuasin Next Generation Charter School runners.
As the 2024–25 school year begins, Rising New York Road Runners program leads across NYC and nationwide are getting ready for another year of working with students to build the skills, confidence, and desire to be physically active for life.
One of those program leads is Abdel Khalil, a math teacher at Nuasin Next Generation Charter School in the Bronx. Abdel and another teacher started Nuasin’s Rising NYRR program in January and are excited about the year ahead.
Abdel’s own running journey began with NYRR’s youth running program at MS 821 Sunset Park Preparatory School in Brooklyn. Abdel shares how these experiences inspired him to become a Rising NYRR program lead and inspire the next generation.
How did you get involved with running?
Back in 2012 at Sunset Park Prep middle school, my friend Jeffrey and I thought we were the best freeze tag players of all time. One day during recess, we heard about a running program starting after school, the Sunset Park Patriots, so we decided to try it.
Little did I know how much my life was about to change.
First day of practice, we had to do a Mile Challenge, which was running around our school three times as fast as we could. Jeffrey and I took off sprinting and were in the lead finishing the first lap. Then we began to realize we messed up big time. I was gasping for air, my legs and arms felt weak, and I started walking. I ended up finishing the mile in about 7 minutes and 40 seconds.
This humbling experience opened infinite doors for me and helped me live my best life. Our coach, Mr. Kotung, always believed in me. He inspired me to train for races ranging from a mile all the way to the half marathon.
Running inspired me for life and turned me into a natural leader. Anywhere I went in life, I always used my Patriots skills to be successful.
Mr. Kotung and I still keep in touch. I want to truly thank him for introducing me to NYRR as a student.
How did you become a Rising NYRR program lead?
This past school year I experienced my first year as a lead high school math teacher at Nuasin Next Generation Charter School. The school had never had a running program, and it was time for me to do my part and give back to the Bronx High Bridge community.
I reached out to Mr. Kotung and learned the process of enrolling my school into the Rising NYRR program. I started coaching alongside Nuasin’s Earth Science teacher, Luis Alarcon, in January 2024. NYRR made the process of starting a running program easier by sending our school a kit that included free gear essential for training. Our Nuasin Scholars were very excited when we received this package, and it helped keep everyone motivated to train.
What do you love most about coaching and leading the Rising NYRR program at your school?
What I love most is sharing my love for the sport with the next generation. I have a lot of answers to my runners' questions, NYRR resources to pass down, and connections that can motivate my Scholars to take advantage of running benefits and opportunities that can help them achieve infinite happiness and run for success.
Rising NYRR helps make anything possible for our school by providing all Scholars with running equipment and racing opportunities to help bring their passion to life. There’s no better feeling than setting a new PR and my Scholars are always looking forward to representing our school well, making a name for ourselves, and putting Nuasin on the map.
What are you looking forward to this year?
Heading into the 2024–25 school year, I’m looking forward to growing and expanding our running program here at Nuasin. I will highlight the success our running team had in its first few months and hopefully recruit new Scholars to push our program to new heights. I get another opportunity to help my returning runners reach their goals and create a future full of running.
How is your own running going?
Last year I wanted to see if I could continue pushing myself as a competitive runner even with my new job as a high school teacher. I was able to improve my time management, training early before work or after work. Joining the Dashing Whippets team and signing up for many NYRR races, including the New York City Marathon, kept me motivated!
Running in the NYC Marathon showed me an entire new world of running. It was the hardest I have ever raced and the last 10K was a world of pain. I had to dig deep and use my 10 years of running experience and amazing moments to give me the drive and focus I needed to cross that finish line. I’m heading to the 2024 Chicago Marathon this October!
Rising NYRR is NYRR’s free running-based youth program that provides educators with physical activity resources for kids of all ages and abilities.