Run-a-thon: Socorro XC run 265 miles, raise funds for their team

The SHS and SMS XC teams gathered at Tech on Sept. 13 for their second ever Run-a-thon fundraiser event. They started at 7 a.m. with their first mile lap around the main campus and repeated that at the start of each hour. Although they had planned to continue all the way until 7 p.m. for 13 miles total, Head Coach Beth Cadol called off the event after their 1 p.m. run due to the stormy weather.

“The day was successful in every way--we had a great time between 7 a.m.-1 p.m., ran many miles together and with friends/supporters, and met all our fundraising goals despite the shortened day. I called it at 1:15 p.m. or so, after spending over an hour in the gym on account of lightning. We got one more mile in together at the next safe moment, and then we packed up. Abby and I pulled into our garage just seconds before it started hailing!” said Cadol.

A few students stayed on afterwards to reach the 13-mile goal for the day, including Anastasia Zagrai. She had multiple sponsors for the event and had already reached 11 miles shortly after 1 p.m.

“What I can say about the Run-a-thon is that it really helped me push myself and really see what I can do, as well as challenge myself and improve on my existing skills. I think cross country is a great place for like minded people to build community, which is really, really good.” said Zagrai.

Zagrai stuck it out to complete the 13 miles along with teammates Abby Cadol, Rylan Timmons, Timur Aitbayev, Niki Planck and Kathleen Johnson.