It’s that time again for the start of Chapin High’s 2nd annual half marathon training. The Chapin fitness club, led by Ms. Billie Williams and Ms. Lori Latham, is excited to start training for their long 13 mile run in March. When asked why the Chapin Fitness Club was started, Ms. Williams replied, “Last year I had some students ask me if I would take them to do some type of fitness challenge and I said sure. I proposed a half-marathon to Dr. Ross and he approved it.” Only seniors are allowed to participate in the half-marathon with the school, and so far there are 47 students signed up for the run which is approximately a fifth of the senior class. Last year, the club started out with 24 seniors and ended with only 11. “We are serious about training.” States Williams, who is referring to the decline of students who actually ran the race.

The week of November 30th to December 5th was the first week of training for the runners. They train for a total of 14 weeks, running every Monday and Wednesday. Runners who are not able to make it to school training must keep a log of their running and present it to Mrs. Williams. Each week, they have a short and long run which gradually gets harder and longer.

Olivia Gabriel, a senior who is running her first long distance race states that, “You definitely have to push yourself to finish each day of running. This being my first race, I really have to tell myself that I can do it. It helps so much having your friends to do it with you so you can keep each other accountable.”

The half-marathon will take place in downtown Columbia on March 4th. The runners will start near the state house, finishing there as well.