X-treme running camp to return
Newton. X-Treme Running Camp will return to Lodestar Park at the end of July. The camp was canceled last year due to COVID-19. The camp prepares atheltes for their fall athletic seasons
Newton /
| 27 May 2021 | 02:40
After a one year hiatus, due to COVID, X-Treme Running Camp will be returning to Lodestar Park this summer from July 26th-30th from 9 am to noon.
This will be the camp’s 20th year.
Directed by successful Kittatinny Regional High School boys and girls cross country coach, Guy Gordon, the camp prepares not just runners, but all athletes for their fall seasons.
“Workouts consist of a combination of building endurance and speed, and the venue at Lodestar Park affords us lots of varying terrain,” Gordon said.
Guest speakers include four-time Olympian, Marcus O’Sullivan; power motivator Cornell Thomas; running coach and author Mark Will-Weber; Pope John coach, Brian Corcoran; Morris Hills coach, Sean Robinson; Roxbury coach, Brendan Donegan; running form expert and physical therapist, Janice Morra and running stand out Justin Scheid; and running shoe specialist, Kevin Higgins.
“For as many years as I’ve been running, I always come away from X-Treme with some new insight or knowledge,” said longtime camp counselor Albert Siuta.
The kids learn a lot, do a lot of training but all in the context of a great and fun atmosphere.
“This camp really motivated me and was a big factor in my success this season.” Molly Riva, who qualified for the prestigious Meet of Champions as a freshman and who will be Kittatiny’s captain in the fall.
“One of the great things about this camp is that it isn’t just good for runners: it caters to all athletes in all sorts of different sports,” said O’Sullivan who coaches at Villanova University and spends his summers in Layton. “It’s a great combination of speed and endurance training with a lot of motivation thrown in.”
The camp started 20 years ago at Swartswood State Park and then moved to Lodestar Park which offers a wider variety of diverse landscapes and hills for training. Each day of camp features varying drills, games, races and guest speakers each day of the week.
“There are three things that make you a good runner: you must have the interest, the attitude and the discipline,” said Olympic gold medalist, Peter Rono, who has spoken at the camp in the past. “Sussex County is one of the best areas to train. The terrain around here is absolutely wonderful.”
“This camp is all about instilling the proper discipline and culture it takes to be a successful runner,” Corcoran said.
Thomas will be this year’s lead-off speaker on Monday July 26th. Known as an international force of motivation, he sets the tone for the camp on the first day.
“This camp is unlike any other,” Thomas. “Two guest speakers per day, constant motivation,and non stop action.”
All COVID recommended protocols will be in place
X-Treme will be held Monday, July 26- July 30 from 9 a.m. to noon at Lodestar Park. For GPS purposes, the address is: Co Rd 610, Newton, NJ 07860.The camp is open to kids in grades six through 12, and campers are grouped according to ability. Cost is $120 per camper, and space is limited. To register on line for X-Treme Running Camp go to:
https://raceroster.com/events/2021/45395/xtreme-running-camp-2021. For a paper application or to reserve a spot by phone, call 973-362-8006 or e-mail xtremeruncamp@aol.com.
