North Miami runners shine at Junior Olympics – NBC 6 South Florida

A group of young girls from North Miami is making a big name for themselves on the national track stage.

The Honest Runners Track Club recently returned from the Junior Olympics in Houston, where their determination and talent carried them to a medal finish.

The team — Laila, Kalie, Summer and Malia — earned their spot at the competition by placing fourth in the region for the 4×100 meter relay. That victory secured their ticket to the 2025 Junior Olympics.

Once on the national stage, they went toe-to-toe with some of the best youth runners in the country, finishing seventh overall in the finals. They returned to South Florida with the coveted title of All-Americans.

For the girls, though, it’s about more than the medals.

“It feels nice having a team and being known all around the world,” said 7-year-old Kalie Charles.

“They are the best friends that we ever had,” Kalie added.

Another runner, Summer Freeman, admitted she was nervous at first.

“When we first ran, we came second in one of our races,” she said.

The Honest Runners’ story also has a familiar face. Two years ago, NBC6 featured Laila “The Great” Whisby, a standout on the team who has already qualified for the Junior Olympics three times.

Even as one of the youngest competitors, her determination has been clear from the start.

“My goal was to make it up there, and I did,” Laila told NBC6.

With All-American titles under their belts and strong friendships fueling their drive, the Honest Runners are already looking ahead.

Training for their next season is underway, with hopes of bringing even more medals back home to South Florida.