A record 117 runners participated in the 2022 Father Ryan High School Distance Running Classic on Wednesday, Aug. 31, on the school’s track.
The Distance Classic is a one-of-a-kind event in which fourth through eighth grade runners race against other runners from their grade. Fourth, fifth, and sixth graders race 800 meters, while seventh and eighth graders race 1600 meters.
“We try to create a festive atmosphere by introducing individual participants as they walk onto the track while motivational songs such as ‘Eye of the Tiger’ (by Survivor) are played on the public address system,” said Robert Kent, meet director and Father Ryan Girls’ Cross Country coach.
One new meet record was set, and another record was tied. Madelyn Brock from St. Rose of Lima School in Murfreesboro won the fifth grade girls’ race in 2 minutes, 47 seconds. The previous record was 2:52. Saint Bernard Academy’s Violet Ortner tied the sixth grade girls’ record when she won her race with a time of 2:46.
