One is never so happy to see the light of day and welcome the warmth of the sun like the Sedona Red Rock High track and field team was when they participated in a 24-hour relay event which began at noon on Wednesday, March 19, and ended at noon on Thursday, March 20.
“This event is definitely a challenge and that’s why we’re doing it,” sophomore Kevin Cox said.
Sedona Principal David Lykins fired the starting gun as junior Chris Lloyd got the event started with a bang, finishing his half mile in just under 2 minutes, 30 seconds.
By Brian Bergner Jr.
Larson Newspapers
One is never so happy to see the light of day and welcome the warmth of the sun like the Sedona Red Rock High track and field team was when they participated in a 24-hour relay event which began at noon on Wednesday, March 19, and ended at noon on Thursday, March 20.
“This event is definitely a challenge and that’s why we’re doing it,” sophomore Kevin Cox said.
Sedona Principal David Lykins fired the starting gun as junior Chris Lloyd got the event started with a bang, finishing his half mile in just under 2 minutes, 30 seconds.
Senior Jordan Burke followed to complete the first mile of the relay and the Scorpions were off and running.
“One down, 199 to go,” Sedona head coach Harry Schneider shouted.
Before beginning the race, Sedona set their sights on running 200 miles in the 24-hour spand. Something Schneider believes they could accomplish without any second thoughts.
“There are always problems that come up but these kids are strong and willing,” Schneider said.
To Phoenix and back was the motto of the day as Sedona had 34 athletes participate in the event and ran in three groups of 11, 11 and 12.
Each group ran in three-hour sessions with each athlete running two laps around the track, or half a mile, before passing the baton to another teammate in their group.
When a runner wasn’t running on the track, or waiting to run, they were most likely kicking a soccer ball around, playing with a dog, playing the guitar or listening to music in their lawn chairs.
Most of the student athletes stayed the night as the football field was littered with tents holding one, two or even three people.
“During the day it’s not so tough, everyone is cheering but when it gets dark and those stadium lights come on, it gets really difficult,” Schneider said.
The Scorpions ran through the night, braving the dark skies, cold winds and their own beds to sleep in, in an effort to raise awareness of track & field.
Each runner also went out into the community to get donations ranging from
$0.05 a mile to even $1 a mile to help raise money for the pole vault equipment and a new all-weather track.
“We need money for our program and this was another way to do it,” Lloyd said.
The toughest stretch of the 24-hour relay comes from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. as the athletes are tired and just want to sleep and with two hours of darkness before the sun begins to come up, who could blame them.
Sophomore Ashleigh Baxter was one of the brave runners in the group that ran from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and believes even though it was tough, it was for a good cause.
“This will help pay for our pole vault event and it was a lot of fun to camp out and be with our friends,” Baxter said.
The 24-hour relay was not completed by press time but the Scorpions were on their way to their goal of Phoenix and back, or 200 miles run.
Brian Bergner Jr. can be reached at 282-7795, Ext. 131, or e-mail to bbergner@larsonnewspapers.com
