13-Year-Old Runs Rock ‘n’ Roll Brooklyn to Support Aunt

Gail (left), Matt and Laura.

If you ask Matt Ross if he’s much of a runner, he shrugs his shoulders. But his shrug is just his humility shining through, because the 13-year-old Upper East Side resident is, without a doubt, a true runner.

After all, he completed his first half 13.1-mile run today at the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Brooklyn Half Marathon. And Ross didn’t do it for personal gain or for that flashy finisher medal; he did it for someone else as part of the “G-Force” Team in Training squad. He did it for his aunt, Gail Kurz, who has been diagnosed with lymphoma.

Thanks to a service project as part of his Bar Mitzvah in May, Ross was able to help raise a staggering $35,000 for the team. “I ran as fast as I could today,” Ross admitted afterward. “It was really tough—especially the hills at the end. But I made sure I finished it.” But Ross didn’t do it alone; he had the support with his teammates. Gail accompanied him as well as his mother, Laura.

“It was pretty emotional out there,” Gail recalled holding back tears. “I felt joy, but I also felt gratitude for what Matt and the whole team was able to do to help.”

Ross’ mother, Laura, said she really felt the dollars they raised helped push the research that is treating Gail. “I really felt the personal impact of this race,” she said.

Several hours after the arduous race, Matt sat on the pristine field in front of the Team in Training Tent. He was wearing a U.S. Soccer jersey and says he worked really hard for this race, running up to 7 miles at one time in Central Park to prepare for the race’s challenging terrain in Prospect Park. “I can’t believe I feel so good now,” he admitted. When asked if he likes to race Matt nods in agreement. “Yep. I’m hooked. When I’m 18, I’m going to give the marathon a try.”

Matt Ross’ efforts on Saturday embody the spirit of Team in Training, which proudly places its “Together we can” mission on banners in front of its finish-line tent. The flags flap in the crisp breeze reminding everyone that service to others takes true solidarity.

“I’m proud of Matt,” he mother says looking at him approvingly with a broad smile on her face. “He really loves his family and he showed it today.”

The post 13-Year-Old Runs Rock ‘n’ Roll Brooklyn to Support Aunt appeared first on Competitor.com.