Oak Lawn Students 'Running Down a Dream'

They’re going to run 166 miles in a 24-hour period. But when they reach their destination, after pounding the pavement from Clinton, Iowa, back to Oak Lawn Community High School, the finish line still will be a long, long ways off in the distance.

For the 11 Oak Lawn “Cross Countries” team members participating in the “Running Down a Dream” event June 3-4, the end to the means is the primary purpose of their upcoming marathon effort, according to Oak Lawn cross country coach Chris Repa.

He is of the belief the boys want to leave the world a better place than they found it. And they’re determined to run as many miles as it takes to do their part.

“The title of the event says it all … ‘Running Down a Dream,’ ” Repa said. “These young men have been on a mission since the beginning of last year. Not only do they participate in local charity functions, but they have a strong desire to make an impact on a global scale as well.”

Collin Demski, Carlos Brito, Daniel Powers, Kyle Dykema, Raymond Baniewicz, Sal Garcia, Eric Lindelsee, Jeff Rupp, Moises Adan, Cody Marek and Eduardo Cruz will represent the Oak Lawn Cross Countries organization (made up of cross country and track athletes) in the charity event to fund a service trip to Bolivia, South America, in 2012. Fellow runners from Oak Lawn (not members of the Cross Countries team), Argo High School, Reavis High School, Moraine Valley Community College and North Central College will join them.

The run begins at 3 p.m. on Friday, June 3, in Clinton, Iowa, and will conclude at approximately 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, at Oak Lawn Community High School. It works like this: There will be four legs of approximately 40 miles each and four teams of 10-15 runners working together on each leg.

The Oak Lawn boys will run 6-8 miles at a time, with a cyclist riding next to each one offering support. The rest of the team will be tagging along behind in a van and rotating in to the running and cycling positions during the course of the 40-mile leg.

At the end of the 24-hour journey, after all the runners have entered Oak Lawn city limits, they will gather in the parking lot of Richards High School to participate in the last mile of the run. Then, after a final lap next to the Oak Lawn Community High School track (the Spartans’ football field is under construction), a “Welcome Back” party will take place that will feature music, refreshments and a short program.

This is the fifth year of the “Running Down a Dream” event.

“What I find so remarkable is that this group of teenagers is willing to spend countless hours raising thousands of dollars, only to give it all back to live in poverty for a month—all the while giving hope and aid to people who are in desperate need of both,” Repa said. “These young men truly understand what compassion is all about and that’s a life skill you just can’t teach.

“Yes, this project definitely transcends distance running. ‘Running Down a Dream’ is about bringing people together and raising awareness. In fact, while in Bolivia, these kids will not have the chance to do nearly any running. The altitude is just too great and their bodies will not be able to fully adjust during the time we will be there.”

The 11 members of Oak Lawn’s Cross Countries unit hope to raise $10,000 while “Running Down a Dream” and have plans to spend some of their time in Bolivia working in a hospital in 2012.

“We are not certain of the exact work we will be doing at Bethel Hospital,” Repa said. “It all depends on how far along they get this year. But, rest assured, there will still be a tremendous amount of work to be done. Due to the finances of the situation, the pace is very slow compared to U.S. standards.”

For more information about Oak Lawn’s “Cross Countries” team or to make a donation, please contact Chris Repa at (708) 203-2254 or at crepa@olchs.org. Donations should be in the form of a check made payable to “Cross Countries” and sent to Chris Repa at Oak Lawn Community High School, 9400 Southwest Highway, Oak Lawn, IL, 60453.