Kennedy McNeilly-Anta, an undergraduate in Duke Kunshan’s Class of 2024, is the president of DKU Running Club and the Sport Club Advisory Council’s Executive Board.
Why do you love running, and how do you handle longer runs?
I run in college because I enjoy the constant improvement it brings to my mindset. Even on the worst days, running reveals energy within. I think running is a mixture of strength, intelligence, and speed. For running, you should start slow and develop your skills. Patience is really important.
What made you want to become president of the DKU Running Club?
My motivation stems from the belief that running is a team sport. No professional athlete gets on court and or the road without a team of people supporting them and pushing them. With DKU Running Club, we’ve built a good family in a good community.
The club has connected with local communities. How does this benefit your activities and the university?
Embracing the Kunshan community is crucial for our university’s identity. The DKU Park Run is a key outlet for this, as it’s a platform for group fitness activities. The event facilitates communication, intercultural exchanges, and community impact aligning with the goals of DKU Athletics. We’ve hosted a group run on campus with local runners from a couple of clubs, forming a more formal relationship.
What differences have you noticed between the running cultures here and in your hometown?
Kunshan has a vibrant running scene with numerous clubs and a strong community spirit, quite different from my rural hometown in New Jersey, U.S., where high school running is competitive. Since I’ve been here, I’ve taken on a more patient and community-focused approach. Everyone can run; it’s about effort. Starting small and gradually increasing is key. Consistent effort leads to improvement. Anyone interested should start, even if it’s for a short duration.