Over the past four years, the Kids of Steel program at Franklin Regional has grown into

one of the district’s most widely participated youth running opportunities, thanks to the

leadership and dedication of Renee Ryan and her husband, Chris Ryan.

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Renee, a fourth-grade teacher at Franklin Regional, and Chris have run and

coordinated the Kids of Steel program for the past four years, building it into a highly

organized, volunteer-driven initiative for students across the district. Through countless

hours of planning, communication, and coordination, they helped shape the program

into a meaningful experience centered on goal-setting, perseverance, and fun.

Kids of Steel is a youth running initiative developed by the Dick’s Sporting Goods

Pittsburgh Marathon, designed to introduce children to endurance running in a positive,

age-appropriate, and non-competitive environment. Participants track miles over a

period of time, culminating in a celebratory run during Pittsburgh Marathon weekend.

Under Renee and Chris’s leadership — and with the support of teams of dedicated

volunteers — the program experienced tremendous growth. By the May 2025 Pittsburgh

Marathon, more than 460 Franklin Regional students participated, placing Franklin

Regional among the largest Kids of Steel contingents in the Pittsburgh area, and the

second-largest school district overall. That milestone reflects not only student

enthusiasm, but also the significant behind-the-scenes effort required to coordinate

schools, families, volunteers, registration, transportation, and logistics.

After four years of successfully running the program, Renee and Chris made the

decision to pass the baton.

The Franklin Regional Athletic Association (FRAA) has assumed responsibility for

running the Kids of Steel program. To support this transition and ensure long-term

sustainability, FRAA developed a new FRAA program called FrRuns, under which Kids

of Steel at Franklin Regional will now operate.

“We wanted to find a way for this to continue seamlessly for years to come,” said

Michelle Kish, President of the Franklin Regional Athletic Association. “By bringing Kids

of Steel under the FRAA umbrella through FrRuns, we’re able to use established

infrastructure for registration and communication, along with access to a broad

volunteer base.”

For its first year under FRAA leadership, the focus will be continuity.

“Renee and Chris built a very well-oiled machine, and it’s our intention to follow closely

in their footsteps,” Kish said. “At the same time, FrRuns allows us to keep the door open

to see what more we can do for kids in this space.”

While Kids of Steel remains the centerpiece of the program, FrRuns provides a

framework that allows for potential growth and additional opportunities in the future.

Day-to-day leadership of FrRuns will be handled by FRAA co-Vice Presidents Mike

Stevens and Heather McKeever, who have already begun preparations for the May 3,

2026 Kids of Steel event at the Pittsburgh Marathon.

The team has secured a $1,500 transportation grant to help fund busing for students on

the day of the event, as well as an additional $750 grant that can be applied toward

other expenses associated with event preparation. These early efforts help reduce

barriers to participation and ensure smooth coordination for families.

Stevens and McKeever are also planning kickoff pep rallies to be held at the schools in

March, aimed at building excitement, spreading awareness, and encouraging families to

register.

“Kids of Steel offers kids an incredible opportunity to experience running in a fun and

supportive environment. I’m proud to be part of FrRuns and excited to use my

background in running to help grow youth running in the Murrysville community.”

Stevens said.

“Running is more than exercise—it’s a fun way to build confidence, discipline, and

lifelong healthy habits. This program does exactly that, and I’m excited to continue

supporting its impact in the years ahead, ”McKeever added.

Registration for the 2026 season will occur in two parts. All participants will be required

to register directly with the Pittsburgh Marathon Kids of Steel program. In early 2026, a

separate FrRuns registration will also be distributed through FRAA. Registration through

FRAA will be required in order to participate in the school-based practice sessions.

Practices are expected to follow the structure that has been successful in past years.

Each participating child will attend one practice per week for three weeks, selecting the

session that best fits their schedule. In the week leading up to the Pittsburgh Marathon,

a practice run on school grounds will be held to help students become familiar with the

approximate distance they will run on race day.

Official program t-shirts will be available for purchase through The Panther’s Den at

Unity Printing, with ordering information included as part of the registration materials

distributed to families.

As FrRuns prepares for its first season under FRAA, families and community members

are encouraged to watch for upcoming volunteer opportunities. Volunteers will be

needed to help support practice sessions in March and April, as well as on the day of

the event itself. With continued community involvement, FrRuns aims to carry forward

the energy, enthusiasm, and positive impact that Renee and Chris Ryan helped

establish over the past four years.