Melrose Girls Head Off To Boot Camp

It's not often that 8-10 year-olds would voluntarily put themselves through something called "Boot Camp," but thanks to Melrose Boot Camp's Joy Fay, eight Melrose girls not only do it, but look forward to it—and have returned for a second summer under her tutelage.

Fay is training the girls in preparation for the Marathon Sports EMARC 5K Walk/Run on Sunday, Sept. 12, which will kick off the annual Melrose Victorian Fair. The girls meet Fay Monday and Wednesday evenings at Fred Green Field for hour-long training sessions.

Eight girls are returning from last summer to do it all over again.  The girls all said similar things: it's about friends, fun and helping others in need.

Most of the girls in the running program are from Melrose and Wakefield, and were put in touch with Fay through her 8-year-old niece, whom Fay said was her "initial inspiration" for putting the group together.

"Some of the moms participate in my early moring boot camps, so they share in  my passion for being fit for life," she said.

Girls are encouraged to run at their own pace, whether it's walking or running. Fay also includes parachute play, and fun strengthening exercizes in order to enhance the girls' warm-ups. 

The majority of the girls said that they like the program because it's fun and that there friends also that their friends, and some mothers are there running with them, said  10-year-old returning runners Julienne D'Abrosio, Gillian Russell, and Kate Lynch.

Adeen Beck, 9, said it was something fun to do in the summer.

"A lot of my friends did it last year," Beck said. "I like it because my friends are here and there is no other sport in the summer that I like doing."

Jaime Greatorex, a first-timer in the Melrose Boot Camp girls program, has a different motive for training with Fay.

"I have to run a lot because I'm going into the 4th grade, and we all have to run a mile when school starts," Greatorex said. "It's kind of a lot of running and training, but Joy makes it fun."

Even special guests, who are experts in yoga and ultimate frisbee, have worked with these young female runners to coordinate special events in order to expose the girls to other physical events. 

Raising money for EMARC

The road race on Sunday will raise money for EMARC of Reading's recreation program, which supports individuals and families in need of services for those with disabilities. Fay also held a special Boot Camp fundraiser last month for EMARC.

Beth Celona, Developmental Officer for EMARC, praised Fay for her efforts in supporting the non-profit.

"I want to express what a wonderful partner she's been with her conduction of Melrose Boot Camp," Celona said. "Joy is always so gracious and kind with what she's given to us."

EMARC's goal is to provide recreation and leisure experiences to people of all ages and abilities which promote independence, build life skills, maximize community inclusion and social interaction, encourage a fitness lifestyle, and enhance quality of life.

Recreation programs EMARC offers for those with disabilities include sports programs; music therapy; swimming; hip hop; inclusive dances; art classes; and summer camp. These programs have no state funding, so EMARC counts on fundraisers and donations.

Fay joined Melrose Boot Camp years ago when she first moved to Melrose from an adjoining town. A triathlete and marathon runner, with consecutive years running in the Boston Marathon, Fay said she loves the city of Melrose and has been involved with several organizations in order to give back the local community.

"I am a huge fan of the city of Melrose and I want to further its reputation for health and fitness within the surrounding communities and beyond," Fay said.

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