September is a particular time for Eddie Feliciano and his daughter Kylie. Not solely as a result of it’s Hispanic Heritage month, however the two additionally run within the Bronx 10 Mile race collectively, which passed off on Sept. 26.
Feliciano advised the Bronx Instances his Latino tradition is necessary, however now he has been capable of merge that together with his new ardour of operating.
“Working has linked us to our tradition by the household surroundings it creates,” he mentioned. “Latinos are identified to have ‘prolonged households’ being a part of a operating group may be very related. The encouragement, the assistance, the operating or life suggestions we obtain in the course of the meet ups. Our youngsters basically figuring out and rising up collectively. The cheering throughout a race out of your ‘operating crew or household.’ Additionally, seeing individuals converse your language, figuring out that you simply’re not alone … is extraordinarily necessary to me as a result of Kylie will get to see it at an early age and can proceed with having a more healthy way of life.”
Feliciano, 37, didn’t have the alternatives that Kylie,10, has as we speak. Born and raised in Brentwood, Lengthy Island, his dad and mom’ lack of fluent English and bother in the neighborhood with the MS-13 gang, left Feliciano wanting extra. In 2009, he moved to Kingsbridge, however he rapidly observed how many individuals have been overweight. He mentioned this was a consider desirous to reside and really feel wholesome.
“We [the Bronx] have a reasonably dangerous stigma in the direction of well being,” he mentioned.
However as we speak the Riverdale resident has remodeled his life. 4 years in the past, he was on the lookout for a option to shed some pounds when he heard in regards to the Bronx Boogie Down Runners. The group does neighborhood runs each Tuesday and Sunday and he rapidly fell in love with it. The Runners not solely helped him, but in addition introduced him nearer together with his daughter. In actual fact, they not solely run with the group, but in addition run collectively thrice per week at Van Cortlandt Park.
“With the ability to introduce her to operating has hopefully launched her to a more healthy way of life,” Feliciano mentioned. “I like the concept that my daughter is moving into health.”
The one factor that affected their operating was the pandemic. It was exhausting to coach in a bunch and in the course of the peak of COVID-19, Feliciano was scared to go away his home. However in the summertime of 2020, he slowly acquired again to his regular routine.
“I spotted operating additionally helped my psychological well being,” he mentioned.
Feliciano, who’s a retail district supervisor, by no means imagined he would develop into a runner, but is glad he did. Seeing the enjoyment it brings Kylie means the world to him.
Whereas he isn’t the following Usain Bolt, he plans to proceed operating together with his daughter for a few years to come back.
“I’ve develop into that annoying buddy that desires to run the entire time,” he mentioned. “I really feel overjoyed after I get to run with my daughter.”