Maybe you've been running around Philly and wondered who those kids in the blue and green shirts are...Let me help you! 

Hello there! I'm Stef or Ms. Londo (as my students call me!).

I'm a special education teacher at Science Leadership Academy Middle School, a RunDisney fan, and a runner... but the thing I identify with most in my running era is MENTOR. 

In 2013, I had the opportunity to become a running leader for Students Run Philly Style with the team at the John Hancock Elementary School ( Which was Labrum Middle School at the time) In one year, I went from barely being able to run a block to running a marathon- but I only did this because I got to be a part of a program that changes the lives of students here in Philadelphia.  

Three days a week, our SLA-MS team of running leaders and I get together and work with kids to be the best versions of themselves through long-distance running.  We'll work together to run the Broad Street Run, the Philadelphia Distance Run, and end our season with a victorious crossing at the Philadelphia Half and Full Marathons. For 9 months, we'll experience joys, pains, and lots of laughter.  We'll endure rain and hot, muggy Philly summers.  We will go through approximately 1,000 packs of fruit snacks and at least 20 tubes of body glitter.  Last November, we carried 30 kids into the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend across the 8k, the Half, and the Full Marathon! We look to have even more students join us for the 2026 season. It brings together kids from all different backgrounds and identifies and makes even the most unlikely of kids, a RUNNER! 

Every student has their race registrations covered and receives up to 2 pairs of Brooks Running Shoes plus a plethora of other perks.  This program happens city-wide across Philadelphia and we work with students in grades 6 through 12.  Many of our program alumini find their way back to us and become running leaders themselves.  To keep it going though, much like everything else these days, it doesnt come without cost.  Students Run Philly Style is FREE for all students who participate and we need to make sure we can keep on going those extra miles. 

So now, as I enter my FOURTEENTH season as a Running Leader, I have been granted an amazing opportunity to be a charity runner for the New York City Marathon and raise money to keep SRPS going so more students can continue to cross finish lines. 

But Students Run Philly Style is about so much more than crossing finish lines for me. Team Labrum was a HUGE part of my life and running journey for 7 years before I moved on to SLA-MS, so much so that a former student is now a coach with me! (Shout out to Morgan!) 

I've been mentoring students for 13 years, helping them through good times and bad. I've been able to be part of their life events, whether it's cultural rites of passage, weddings, or graduations. I'm part of a tightly knit community of runners from all walks of life who are family when we meet on the pavement together.  I got to be there when one of them crossed the finish line of their 2026 Dopey Challenge, which we talked about since they were 12.  I met my number one teammate, my husband, Jeremy, because of Students Run Philly Style as we are both running leaders. Students Run is indirectly the reason I ended up with my team at Science Leadership Academy Middle School. I've met my dearest friends through the program. I've had so many amazing opportunities and met tons of awesome people. This is all not just because of running...but because I started running with Students Run. I can never, ever repay SRPS for this or even put a true monetary value on how to give back to this program. 

Running in NYC is a big deal.  It's a bucket list dream of mine since I started running.  It would be my 21st Marathon!  For this to be something that supports Students Run Philly Style makes it a dream come true!

When you donate to my NYC Marathon run, you aren’t just helping me reach a personal milestone; you are investing in a proven model of mentorship that transforms the lives of Philadelphia’s youth. Students Run Philly Style (SRPS) is a powerhouse for student success: while the citywide graduation rate hovers around 77%, an incredible 91% of SRPS seniors graduate on time, with 90% of those graduates earning college acceptance.

But the impact goes far beyond the classroom. This program provides a vital safety net, with 92% of students reporting that their Running Leader is a trusted adult they can turn to during life's hardest moments. By the end of a season, 79% of our runners report a significant boost in self-esteem, stating, "I like the kind of person I am." From the 85% of students in our MileUp diversion program who earn a clean slate and a fresh start, to the thousands of kids who receive free Brooks running shoes and race entries, your contribution removes every barrier to entry. You are providing  the life-changing miles that turn "unlikely" kids into confident, resilient runners.

You can follow along for the journey on instagram @stefruns4mickeywaffles