On October 24, more than 400 young runners from across New Mexico gathered at Bullhead Park in Albuquerque for the 2026 Rise to Greatness XC Invitational.
Hosted by Dukes Track Club, the event brought together runners from local teams and communities, including Acoma Running, Walatowa Running, Running Medicine, and other clubs. Children as young as eight and under raced alongside others in their age groups, while older runners competed in longer races.
For Dukes Track Club founding member Jesse Armijo, the event was a chance to share something that has shaped much of his life: a love of running and the friendships that come with it.
Helping More Young Runners Reach the Starting Line
The Rise to Greatness XC Invitational gives young runners a chance to compete, cheer on their teammates, and meet athletes from other clubs. It’s also a chance for families to come together and celebrate their children’s hard work.
Armijo says events like this give kids something to look forward to after the time they’ve invested in training and practice. Sometimes parents or other family members get inspired to pursue fun fitness activities of their own after seeing their kids running.
“When adults see all the kids racing and running, they get excited,” Armijo explains. “Even for serious runners, watching high school races is probably their main exposure to youth running. So when they get to see tiny little eight-year-olds running, they get really inspired and that’s cool to see.”
Dukes Track Club charges registration fees to cover the costs of its spring track and fall cross-country programs. The club works with local partners to offer scholarships that help families pay those fees.
BeWell covered the registration fees for the 2026 Rise to Greatness Invitational, allowing young runners to participate for free. Removing that cost helped make the event more accessible to families while supporting a local organization that encourages healthy, active lifestyles.
“The event really unifies all these different clubs and families and kids. So that’s really neat to see, and the generosity of the grant from BeWell has helped make that possible,” reflects Armijo.
From Grassroots Runners to a Community-Wide Club
Dukes Track Club got its start in 2009, when Armijo and two other runners decided to build a club in Albuquerque.
Armijo had competed in college at California State University San Marcos, running long distance track races and cross-country. After college, his desire to continue training and competing alongside other dedicated runners eventually led to him starting the club.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without running,” he says. “However much energy I put into it, I got that back. It connected me with a lot of good people in the running community nationwide, and even internationally.”
Over time, the club’s goals grew. Armijo credits Arlene Espinoza-Armijo, the club’s current president, with helping expand its focus beyond competitive running. Together with other club members, they worked to create more ways for runners to get involved in their community.
Today, Dukes Track Club is a nonprofit organization with adult running groups, youth programs, and community events. Its youth running program includes track in the spring and cross-country in the fall. Young athletes practice with coaches, build their skills, and compete in local meets. The club also gives back through food drives, school supply drives, and other community projects.
For Armijo, an elementary school teacher, the youth program is especially meaningful. Many of the children he coaches are students from his school, while others come from nearby neighborhoods.
Through coaching, Armijo enjoys sharing his favorite sport with a new generation of runners and creating a space where they can form lasting friendships. That sense of community is one of his favorite parts of events like the Rise to Greatness Invitational.
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You Don't Have to Be Fast to Enjoy Running
While Dukes Track Club was founded by competitive runners, Armijo emphasizes that running offers many health benefits no matter your pace. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular physical activity helps children build stronger muscles and bones, supports heart health, and can improve attention and memory.
“You don’t have to keep up with the fastest person in a group to enjoy the exercise or the company,” he explains.
For families, running can also provide a fun reason to spend time outside together. And for adults, running clubs have exploded in popularity across the U.S. in recent years. More people of all fitness levels are embracing running as a way to meet new people and build stronger connections.
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Armijo has simple advice for people who feel nervous about trying running for the first time: Find a friend. You can start with a short walk or an easy jog, then build up at a pace that feels comfortable.
“Finding a friend to run with is always the easiest way to get started. Going on a 30 minute run with a friend is a great way to just chat and catch up. Similar to getting a cup of coffee, except you’re breathing harder,” Armjio says.
Interested in getting involved? Visit Dukes Track Club to learn more about its youth programs, community runs, and upcoming events.
BeWell works with local organizations throughout New Mexico to support healthier communities and connect people with health coverage. You can find an upcoming BeWell event near you or schedule a free appointment to get help with your health insurance questions.
