X-Treme Running Camp @ Lodestar, July 24-28, 9 am to noon
Four time Olympian to speak at Lodestar Running Camp
Camp inspires and prepares local teens for all fall sports
FREDON, NJ-- X-Treme Running Camp will return for its 22nd year from Monday, July 24th, through Friday, July 28th at Lodestar Park in Fredon. The camp will run from 9 am to noon each day and is open to kids from age 10 to 19 looking to get in shape for their fall sport by improving endurance and speed, receiving a lot of inspiration from guest speakers and bonding with other campers from all over the area.
“This is our 22nd year running this camp,” said Camp Co-Director, Guy Gordon, “Our guarantee is that you will leave X-Treme Running Camp in better shape, more motivated and more confident plus with a higher love of our sport than when you arrived. If you are a competitive youth runner, the X-Treme Running Camp experience will bring your running to a higher level.”
The camp's philosophy is that if you do something, do it right. Get as much out of running as you can and go into your season in shape... both physically and mentally. The camp isn't just for runners: it's a great way for all fall sport athletes to prepare for their seasons.
“You have to learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable,” said Sparta resident and head cross country and track coach at Drew University, Sean Robinson.
Robinson and a host of guest speakers address the campers each day.
“This is one of the things that makes our camp different from other running camps,” said Camp Co-Director, Laurie Gordon, “We bring in top notch guest speakers every day, so in addition to a great workout, tailored to each camper's ability, they receive a lot of motivation.”
Four-time Olympian and Villanova University cross country and track Coach Marcus O'Sullivan, is one of the camp's annual speakers. He talks about breaking the four-minute mile over 100 times and his experience as a world-renowned athlete.
“I also like to pass around uniforms and shoes I've competed in and show the campers my medals,” O'Sullivan said.
O'Sullivan, who also owns a family farm in Sussex County, loves the area, the Sussex County Farm & Horse Show and encouraging budding runners and athletes of any sport to work hard, but to never forget to have fun.
Each day includes an endurance session, a speed session (in which kids are grouped according to their ability) plus a highly-acclaimed guest speaker and question/answer periods.
Bran Corcoran, who coaches cross country and track at Pope John High School is one of the guest speakers.
“This camp is all about instilling the proper discipline and culture it takes to be a successful runner,” he said.
The late great Tom Fleming, who won the New York City Marathon multiple times and went on to become a renowned coach gave a clinic as part of the camp for many years.
“Somewhere in the world someone is training when you are not,” he used to profess to the campers. “When you race him, he will win.”
Coach Brendan Donegan, who hails from Ogdensburg and has coached cross country and track all over the tri-county area speaks to a different, yet equally as important message each year.
“You see this,” he says as he holds up his cell phone, “This is what I want you to do with this more often: a lot more often. Put it down. Put it away. Turn it off. Don't put off your homework and don't let this keep you from getting the sleep you need. Social media has its time and place, but far too often, I see kids getting way too wrapped up in it. If you want to be the best athlete, student and person you can be and if you want to achieve your goals, don't get caught up in unnecessary time on these devices Snapping, texting, following and liking.”
Cornell Thomas is always the camp's headline speaker. He's a world-renowned motivational speaker who got his start with the sport of basketball, He regales the campers with the necessity of discipline and never giving up on their dreams.
“This camp is unlike any other,” he said. “Two guest speakers per day, constant motivation,and non stop action”
For further information, call 973-362-8006 or e-mail XtremeRunCamp@aol.com. Register on line at:
X-Treme Running Camp July 24-28, 9 am to noon Lodestar Park 973-362-8006
registration is: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/73495/xtreme-running-camp-2023