Cardinal Spellman Principal Runs 100 Miles to Inspire Students and Raise Money

Cardinal Spellman Principal Runs 100 Miles to Inspire Students and Raise Money

digitalsportsnews | November 17, 2014
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Dan O’Keefe is the Principal of Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx, New York and committed to run 100 miles around the school’s track to raise money for school programs, as well as inspire the student body to do something big. “I want to inspire the students to aim for 100,” he said. “Whether it’s academically or 100% participation or 100% in sports, it’s a goal we should strive for.” Mr. O’Keefe planned on running the 400-meter track loop over 400 times and finish in 24 hours, despite the chilly and damp forecast. The Principal typically runs “ultra-marathons” twice a year in Vermont and Virginia, but this was different. Running on such a small track, which is built more for sprinting can take its toll on ones joints. Each of Spellman’s 1,400 plus students were challenged to raise $100 as a goal alongside the Principals own goal of helping to fund 50 student activity clubs and 25 sports teams. “It’s about inspiring our students that you can do things people say are impossible,” O’Keefe said. The Principal started his 100 mile run at 6a.m. Friday, November 7th, 2014. Fellow Teachers rallied in support of O’Keefe as well, getting up extra early to bring water, a change of clothes, and cheering him on as he ran throughout the night. "You get to a point in ultra-marathoning when you're ready for it, no matter what," O'Keefe said. "I've done it enough times to know what I'm capable of." Just before finishing the run at almost 6a.m. on Saturday, an anonymous donor gave $100,000 to the school. A true inspiration, Principal O’Keefe proved to his students that the impossible really can be possible. The video below provided by Cardinal Spellman High School: