HITTING THE WALL

BY JIM HAND / SUN CHRONICLE STAFF

Martin Tighe's quest o break a world record endurance running record was cut short early Friday night when he experienced dizziness.

Tighe had run 40 miles over the span of about 6 hours on a treadmill when paramedics were called to Attleboro High School about 6p.m.

"he started getting dizzy. At this point it seems it was physical distress," said Kathy Vespia, coordinator of the Network, an alternative program at the high school that Tighe was raising money for. "He was advised not to continue." Tighe was taken to Sturdy Memorial Hospital, where he was later discharged.

"What was exciting was the whole community stepped up," Vespia said, noting many took over and continued running on two treadmills. "People were getting to take his spot.

"It was not just about success, it is how you deal with adversity," Vespia added. "It was just inspiring to see kids come out of the woodwork and let this go on."

About a dozen teams of about five members, including local police, ran about 100 miles. The running continued until late Friday night, and over $3,000 was raised.

The even continues today, but Tighe isn't expected to run.

"On any given day, your body can perform beyond expectations and limits; other days, it doesn't want to," said Bruce Garber, project manager for the event.

Tighe had intended to keep on running all day and all night to break the record of 154 miles within a 24 hours period.

For Tighe, a councilor at The Network, the challenge was just the latest in a long line of unusual test of endurance.

Last year he ran and won a marathon at the North Pole.

Tighe was cheered on Friday by his students, co-workers and family in the lobby of the high school.

But the even could hardly be called a send-off, since he actually wasn't going anywhere by running on a treadmill.

The appearance of his family in Attleboro came as a shock to the native of England.

He was teaching a class Wednesday, when his father, sister and niece unexpectedly walked in on him after secretly taking a flight from England to Boston.

"We came up behind him. When he saw us, his face was just a picture. He was shocked. He actually jumped back," said his sister, Maria Williams.

"He had no idea," father Brian Tighe said.

Brian Tighe said his son has always been full of surprises and a sense of adventure.

"We never know what he is going to do next," the father said.

Tighe's quest became something of a fest with live music, a poetry slam, an improv performance and other attractions at the school.

Various school and city officials kept Tighe company by running along side him on other treadmills. The rules allowed Tighe to take breaks during the run, helper Rick McNair, a network teacher said.

Tighe often takes on huge tasks to show his students they can accomplish almost anything if they put their mind to it.

"Martin Tighe is an incredible human being," school committee chairman Richard Correia said. "When he sets his mind to something, he does it with the mission of inspiring his students to go the distance," he said.

Staff Writer Stephen Peterson contributed to this story.