The New Age Runners AAU track program was founded three years ago when a local mom stepped up to create opportunities for her children and other youngsters who love to run.

“We didn’t have a community running program here for the kids,” founder and head coach Alonti Richardson says. “The only place close was in Wildwood so I told Coach Tucker with FCA that I really wanted to start my own team.”

New Age Runners has grown into a structured program of 20 athletes ages 5 to 14.

“It all boils down to being patient,” Alonti says. “In order for these kids to be good, they have to start somewhere. The best place to start is at five and six years old because you can mold them into what they need to be to succeed.”

Alonti, who ran track at Bethune-Cookman University, brings college experience to the program. Assistant Coach Doug Orr adds years of coaching youth and speed training from his football background, while Assistant Coach Shaun Robertson brings another competitor to the team. The coaching staff wouldn’t be complete without Team Moms Quahsay Darisaw and Tatiana Robertson, because it takes a village to prepare these kids for competition.

“It’s not about just winning,” Doug says. “It’s about what you do with your time. Each time you run, you want a better time. You want progression.”

That focus on growth is evident in athletes like Josiah, one of the younger runners in the program. He began the season near the bottom of the standings in his age group but finished the year earning medals.

“That’s the progress we want to see,” Doug says.

Discipline is central to the organization’s identity. Coaches regularly remind athletes that preparation at practice determines performance at meets.

“When you get to these meets, they’re not giving second chances,” Alonti says. “If you run out of your lane, you’re disqualified. So if you’re not listening at practice, there’s no way you’re going to listen at a meet.”

New Age Runners practices primarily at Ski Beach at Venetian Gardens in Leesburg and at Leesburg High School when facilities are available. Lack of hosting facilities necessitates that meets are held away from home.

New Age Runners was recently recognized as an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is now seeking sponsors, equipment donations and most importantly, a dedicated facility within Lake County for practices.

“Right now, we buy most of it out of pocket because we are all in for these kids,” Shaun says. “We have a lot of good support from parents, but we would really love to see our community behind us.”

Shaun says he’s seen a noticeable difference in his own daughter, Lyric.

“She started to make friends and build that work ethic,” he says. “She’d ask me why we weren’t practicing every day. She’s working harder and harder at it.”

Quahsay has also seen growth in her son.

“For Josiah, he is very quiet and shy,” she says. “Being on the track team has brought him out of his shell. He was really nervous, but running with the older kids helped him. Now he’s medaling.”

When asked about goals for the upcoming season, there was a clear consensus among the athletes to run “super fast.” 

Visit the New Age Runners Facebook page for more information.  

Photos: Cindy Peterson