Schools
474 Pleasanton Students Run 9K Miles During 'March Mile Madness'
Kids who complete the challenge are rewarded with a pizza party, shirt and the priceless gift of understanding their own true grit.
PLEASANTON, CA — About 475 middle school students are coming down from a serious runner's high after successfully completing the fifth annual March Mile Madness running challenge at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton. The goal is for each student to run 20 miles in 20 days.
Although it sounds simple, the rules are very strict. Break a rule, and you do not get to complete the event. Of the 746 students who started the event this year, 474 were successful. The motivated middle schoolers ran a total of 11,000 miles during those 20 days.
This year, the kids ran despite the relentless rain. Many students who started the challenge this year were eliminated due to the flu, according to teacher Willie Brown. In 2018, Brown told Patch that the event is also about perfect attendance.
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"If they miss their PE period for a field trip, medical appointment, it is the students responsibility to contact us and run it before school, during lunch or after school on that day," Brown said.
Two of the students started the challenge early this year because they were going to miss two days of school due to travel in Europe, according to Brown.
Find out what's happening in Pleasantonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Despite illness and rain, participation grows steadily each year and the program has developed a reputation throughout Pleasanton. Brown said 155 kids participated during the first year. The second year, 316 students joined the run. In 2017, 469 students finished all 20 miles. In 2018, 500 students completed the challenge.
This year, 230 students completed the challenge for the first time. Almost 150 students completed the challenge for the second year. Ninety-nine students completed the challenge for the third year in a row.
Kids who finish are rewarded with a pizza party, shirt and the priceless gift of understanding their own true grit.
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