Lancer Men’s Soccer Extends Marathon Relay By 5 Days
April 4, 2020 at 11:48 a.m.
Lancer Men’s Soccer Extends Marathon Relay By 5 Days
By Noah Tong-
While the original goal was for team members to run 48 hours without stopping, the initiative’s success prompted Lancer head coach Arron Patrick to extend the COVID-19 Run for a full week. At least one participant at a time will run remotely in their hometown for a whopping 168 straight hours. The event started Wednesday at noon, and it will end at the same time this Wednesday.
“It was a no-brainer,” said Patrick. “People keep supporting us, and while we can have people supporting us, we can fill time slots. We’re even prepared to hurt a little more physically.”
The student-athletes, initially required to sign up on their shared Google Sheets link for 20-minute increments, now must run for a minimum of 45 minutes. Most players are volunteering for runs as long as 90 minutes a day.
“The really difficult time slots are from 2:15 a.m. to 5 a.m., but we’ve got guys all over the world helping us out,” Patrick explained. “When you have to get up at 2 a.m. and run for 90 minutes, well now you’re really feeling it. It’s just another level mentally where it’s more of a challenge.”
Some students are representing the Lancer program overseas in places such as England, France, Germany, and Portugal. Other students are choosing to live in on-campus in Winona because it is safer than back home.
Patrick’s inspiration for the global trek was deeply personal to his team.
“I was out on a run thinking about one of our seniors,” he said. “At the time, one of his grandparents had passed away, and now both have. I was thinking about ways we could support him. I thought, ‘Man, with this many guys not doing a lot right now, there must be something we can do to help more people.’”
After discussing options with his assistant coaches, Patrick decided on a 48-hour marathon with all proceeds donated to domestic and international relief funds.
“When I originally thought of the idea, I thought we could raise a couple thousand dollars for a couple of charities total,” Patrick said. “Then we had hit $1,000 before we even started running, so we knew people were supporting us. It’s gone crazy.”
And it’s not just the soccer players with tired legs. Fifty-six people ran during the first 48 hours. The Grace men’s cross-country team will join the run for the final five days. Nearly all the new recruits for the 2020-2021 season are also participating.
Viewers curious about how the event is unfolding can follow along on Instagram live. There they can periodically watch story updates that features players, coaches, and even special guests.
“My little boy just ran on Instagram Live,” said Patrick. “He came into the room and said he wants to help the people like the guys are. He’s only five and he ran a mile! People were donating while he ran, so it’s been inspirational.
Grace’s decision to finish the remainder of the school year online forced the soccer program to adapt from in-person, daily workouts to communicating three times a week through Google Hangouts. Through this platform the players and coaches can stay in contact, keep fit, and talk about topics ranging from spiritual to informal.
Patrick hopes the marathon highlights the caring nature of his student-athletes, as well as their ability to make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
“The players are in an age demographic that is getting hammered in the press for going to spring break,” he said. “For us to do something positive with our time, I hope it shows not everyone this age is trying to go out and party all the time. Grace is a different kind of institution.”
All donations generated through their GoFundMe page, currently exceeding $7000, will be given to the Warsaw Salvation Army, Community Foundation of Elkhart COVID-19 Community Response Fund, and IMA World Health. The players voted on these organizations through a poll in GroupMe, their messaging app.
“We talk about being the best Grace men’s soccer team we can ever be, and we always talk about how it’s more than just wins and losses,” said Patrick.
“This is way more important than any soccer game.”
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While the original goal was for team members to run 48 hours without stopping, the initiative’s success prompted Lancer head coach Arron Patrick to extend the COVID-19 Run for a full week. At least one participant at a time will run remotely in their hometown for a whopping 168 straight hours. The event started Wednesday at noon, and it will end at the same time this Wednesday.
“It was a no-brainer,” said Patrick. “People keep supporting us, and while we can have people supporting us, we can fill time slots. We’re even prepared to hurt a little more physically.”
The student-athletes, initially required to sign up on their shared Google Sheets link for 20-minute increments, now must run for a minimum of 45 minutes. Most players are volunteering for runs as long as 90 minutes a day.
“The really difficult time slots are from 2:15 a.m. to 5 a.m., but we’ve got guys all over the world helping us out,” Patrick explained. “When you have to get up at 2 a.m. and run for 90 minutes, well now you’re really feeling it. It’s just another level mentally where it’s more of a challenge.”
Some students are representing the Lancer program overseas in places such as England, France, Germany, and Portugal. Other students are choosing to live in on-campus in Winona because it is safer than back home.
Patrick’s inspiration for the global trek was deeply personal to his team.
“I was out on a run thinking about one of our seniors,” he said. “At the time, one of his grandparents had passed away, and now both have. I was thinking about ways we could support him. I thought, ‘Man, with this many guys not doing a lot right now, there must be something we can do to help more people.’”
After discussing options with his assistant coaches, Patrick decided on a 48-hour marathon with all proceeds donated to domestic and international relief funds.
“When I originally thought of the idea, I thought we could raise a couple thousand dollars for a couple of charities total,” Patrick said. “Then we had hit $1,000 before we even started running, so we knew people were supporting us. It’s gone crazy.”
And it’s not just the soccer players with tired legs. Fifty-six people ran during the first 48 hours. The Grace men’s cross-country team will join the run for the final five days. Nearly all the new recruits for the 2020-2021 season are also participating.
Viewers curious about how the event is unfolding can follow along on Instagram live. There they can periodically watch story updates that features players, coaches, and even special guests.
“My little boy just ran on Instagram Live,” said Patrick. “He came into the room and said he wants to help the people like the guys are. He’s only five and he ran a mile! People were donating while he ran, so it’s been inspirational.
Grace’s decision to finish the remainder of the school year online forced the soccer program to adapt from in-person, daily workouts to communicating three times a week through Google Hangouts. Through this platform the players and coaches can stay in contact, keep fit, and talk about topics ranging from spiritual to informal.
Patrick hopes the marathon highlights the caring nature of his student-athletes, as well as their ability to make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
“The players are in an age demographic that is getting hammered in the press for going to spring break,” he said. “For us to do something positive with our time, I hope it shows not everyone this age is trying to go out and party all the time. Grace is a different kind of institution.”
All donations generated through their GoFundMe page, currently exceeding $7000, will be given to the Warsaw Salvation Army, Community Foundation of Elkhart COVID-19 Community Response Fund, and IMA World Health. The players voted on these organizations through a poll in GroupMe, their messaging app.
“We talk about being the best Grace men’s soccer team we can ever be, and we always talk about how it’s more than just wins and losses,” said Patrick.
“This is way more important than any soccer game.”
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