Record pace
Teacher is one for the books
City teacher "Goes The Distance", sets four records

City teacher Martin Tighe gets into the Guinness Book of World Records four times during a 12-hour training run to prepare for his April 29 try to set a 24-hour record

By Michael Gelbwasser - Sun Chronicle Staff

An Attleboro educator ran into the Guinness Book of World Records four times on Saturday from a treadmill in the Emerald Square mall.

Martin Tighe's 12-hour effort at NordicTrack was a warm-up for his April 29 attempt to run more than 154 miles in 24 hours, which also would be a world record.

Tighe on Saturday set the record for most miles run on a treadmill over 12 hours, 85.83 miles. He beat the old record by 0.15 miles.
 

Photo by: Bruce Garber / Friends of AHS Track

After setting this record, Tighe raised his arms in a "V" for victory pose.

"It's feels great right now, but there were a couple of moments that I thought I was going to drop out." he said afterward.

Tighe also set treadmill records for the 50-kilometer, 3:44:48, the 50-mile, 6:06:19, and the 100 kilometer, 7:39:31.

Tighe, 46, is an adjustment counselor at "The Network, Attleboro's alternative school environment for at-risk teens. He is running to encourage teenagers to "Go The Distance" and stay in school.

"It's about the program and the struggles and the challenges that they have," he said. "I get a lot of inspiration from their resiliency to the challenges they face in their lives."

Attleboro High School graduate Jared Garber was among the onlookers who found watching Tighe inspiring.

Garber ran for Tighe's cross-country teams for three years.

Praise from former student

"He always told us, "You've got to dig in there." And just by watching him, I can picture him saying it to himself," Garber said.

Taunton resident Eddie Correa said Tighe's accomplishments were even more remarkable because the air circulation in the store was not cooling him down.
 

Photo by: Olivia Garber / Friends of AHS Track

"He's a strong man with a lot of will and determination," Correa said.

Tighe said vitamin water, bananas and Fig Newtons kept him nourished.

However, he still struggled at times. His quads cramped after he set the 100K record.

The cheers from the onlookers that crowded the store kept him strong.

"The team said, "Just relax. Take it easy," Tighe said.

Tighe also slowed his pace at that point.

His pace ranged from 6 1/2 to 9 minutes for much of the event. he peaked over the last 30 seconds.

The crowd counted down from 10 to 0 over the last 10 seconds.

Tighe was grateful for the support.

"All of you guys, even if you're not part of Attleboro High or The Network, made it happen for me," he told the crowd.

Tighe's successful lengthy runs have become his stock in trade.
 

Photo by: Donna Brousseau / Friends of AHS Track

In April 2003, he won the North Pole Ultra marathon, a trek across the Artic. He trained for that event for months in a giant freezer.
 

For additional information, visit www.friendsofahstrack.netfirms.com and click on “Go The Distance.”