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Runners Push the Limits to Help Others
CHICAGO, IL (December 14, 2005) - Track and cross country runners are used to
pushing themselves to put in the miles, but not like they did during a
24-hour event last week at North Park University.
The relay event was held from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Twenty-one members of the Viking track and cross country teams, along
with the coaches, raised $2,000 while running on treadmills at the
school. Half of the money will be donated to Habitat for Humanity, and
the other half will benefit the teams.
Runners took half-hour shifts. In excess of 187 miles were completed for
an average of 3.9 miles per 30-minute session, says Elliott Nott, the
men's track and cross country coach. The goal had been 175. Nott ran the
fastest reaching 4.71 miles in a half hour. Senior Luke Johnson put in
the most miles, logging 13.4 in three half-hour sessions.
The students were excited about the event and the opportunity to raise
money for others. "The treadmill relays were such a unique and
extraordinary idea to raise money for both our organization and Habitat
for Humanity," says senior Liz Podczaski. "Hopefully the money we raised
can give a family the opportunity to get their lives back on track and
inspire others to contribute their time and money."
"It provided a purpose for our running, and the benefits surpassed
merely completing the full 24 hours," says senior Becky Gritter. "As a
runner, I often dread running on the treadmill. Due to the support of
fellow teammates and those that passed by, the treadmill environment was
actually enjoyable."
Earning special respect from other athletes were Podczaski, senior
Allison Weller, and former cross country runner, Grace Conrad. The three
alternated shifts between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.
"I give Liz, Allison and Grace a lot of credit for running throughout
the night and very early morning," says sophomore Weston Gleffe. "It was
truly selfless of them to run when they normally would have been asleep."
Nott says he was pleased that the early morning sessions were among the
first the athletes wanted.
The event was a first for the teams and was the brainchild of Nott, who
introduced the relay concept at a previous college. "We had a blast
putting together this event and I'm thankful that the North Park
community supported our efforts," he says.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
