Terry Fox: Lively District Secondary School runs a marathon a day for 143 days

Lively District Secondary School is putting a new twist on a traditional fundraiser. In honour of the 35th anniversary of the Terry Fox Run, Grade 7 and 8 students and staff will run a marathon a day for 143 days. It will all take place on the track behind the school, with the first lap leaving the starting line on Thursday, October 1, 2015 at 10:30 am.

“Terry’s original run lasted 143 days, and covered 5,373 kilometres,” says Principal Leslie Mantle.  “Students calculated that 105 laps of our school track would be the equivalent of a marathon.”

The math worked out perfectly. Lively District Secondary School has 100 Grade 7 and 8 students and five staff members in the Intermediate Program. They will run a lap a day, with two laps on Fridays and Mondays to make up for weekends.

Principal Mantle commended all participants in this initiative, which has proven to be a wonderful way to bring learning to life, from the curriculum to character education.

She added: “When we shared the marathon a day idea with the School Program Co-ordinator at The Terry Fox Foundation, she was equally as enthusiastic.”

“We think what you are doing is incredible and is creating passionate, caring and generous kids,” said Lisa Armstrong, who looks forward to receiving regular updates of the run as fall turns to winter.

Students and staff will be sporting lighter clothing when the run kicks off on October 1st. They will be wearing warm coats, hats, mitts and snowshoes when the run comes to a close in mid-February.

“Participants will be charting their progress in rain, sunshine, snow and sleet,” says Principal Mantle. “Throughout it all, they will be getting daily physical activity while raising money for a cause that has touched the hearts of Canadians for the past 35 years.”

-30-

Media Contact:

Leslie Mantle, Principal, Lively District Secondary School,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-692-3671