Whiz Kid: Distance Runner Marcelo Bulatovic

Whiz Kids is a weekly feature in which Patch profiles an outstanding youngster or youth group. This week's Whiz Kid is Marcelo Bulatovic, who is awesome because he's learning early in life how to cover long distances.

Whiz Kid: Marcelo Bulatovic

Age: 13

School: Hoboken Charter School, 7th Grade

Running comes easy for Hoboken Charter School 7th grader Marcelo Bulatovic. He's a member of his school's new running club, and he just ran the annual “Hobooken” 5k race on Halloween weekend.

Marcelo first realized he could run well while playing tag with his friends. “They always say, 'you're so fast',” he says.

Since he's gotten older Marcelo has had to complete mile long runs for his gym class. Having to complete those miles motivated him to practice running. “I wanted to train for that,” he says.

Now Marcelo runs on Wednesday nights with his school's running club, which began in September and includes grades 4th through 7th, and also by himself a couple of other nights during the week. When he runs by himself he often runs enough laps around his block to total two miles or more.

Aside from running Marcelo has an extensive athletic background. He's also played organized basketball and baseball, and currently takes tae kwon do lessons. On the basketball court he likes playing point guard, and in baseball he prefers the outfield. “It's easier to catch the ball there,” he says.

When he's not running or slapping curveballs or breaking boards in a dojo, Marcelo focuses on school. “I'm usually home doing my homework,” he says. Marcelo's favorite subjects are math and science. He likes conducting labs in his science class.

“The things you learn about (in science class) are cool,” he says.

Marcelo has also taken classes on electronics, and says he thinks about becoming an engineer when he gets older.

In his spare time, Marcelo hangs out with his friends and plays the piano. He got interested in music over a year ago and started playing when he got a piano as a gift. He likes rock music and a little bit of pop.

Do you know a Whiz Kid, or even a whole group of them? Send any and all nominations to alanskontra@hotmail.com, and check back each week to read about some outstanding youngsters in your community.