Torched passed for run

Team steps in to aid teacher

 By: Rebecca Keister Sun Chronicle Staff

 One student’s wish to see her teachers world record-attempt honored even though he did not finish the task resulted in an outpouring of appreciation and selfless dedication at Attleboro High School on Saturday.

“This is absolutely phenomenal,” said Martin Tighe, arriving at the school mid-morning to find members of the track team running on treadmills, while the students were supposed to be at their state relay championships.

About 70 members of the track and field team decided to forgo the meet and run the miles Tighe could not after his quest to beat the world running record was cut short Friday night by illness.

On Friday afternoon, Tighe started his try to set a new record for running the most miles in a 24-hour period.

Aiming for 160 miles, to beat the record of 154, he collapsed after running about 40 miles.

It was only about six hours into the event, which also was being held to raise funds for The Network, the school’s alternative education program for at-risk students.

Tighe is one of The Network’s counselors, and it was one of the program’s students who united her peers in the cause.

Stephanie Burt, 15, was one of the last people to leave Attleboro High School late Friday night. After Tighe was taken by ambulance to Sturdy Memorial Hospital, students, community members and local police officers took over the treadmills, running until after midnight.

Burt did not want it to end there.

“I thought, are we going to finish? I wanted to be here to help finish it for him.” Burt said.

Still, Burt was overwhelmed by the track team’s generosity.

Track coach Peter Lacasse brought the idea to his team early Saturday morning. Buses were waiting outside to transport the kids, who were given a choice to participate.

The decision, Lacasse said, was instantly unanimous.

“This is a once in-a-lifetime opportunity. The Network really needs the support, and we have all the time in the world to run a track meet,” said Erik King, 18, one of the team’s captains.

Lacasse said the gesture was especially moving because for seniors such as King, the meet would have been their last opportunity to win a state championship at the high school level.

“This is much more important,” King said.

About $5000 was raised during the event, according to Valerie Lowell, the founder of The Network’s Parent Teacher Organization.

The desire to see the task completed was also born out of concern and admiration for Tighe, who was released from Sturdy Friday night on the promise that he returned for additional stress tests.

“It’ll be funny if they ask me to run on a treadmill. I’m feeling better. This was quite an unusual occurrence,” said Tighe, who has run up to 86 miles at a time during his many unusual endurance tests.

Tighe said he became light-headed after running about 30 miles, and tired to subside feelings of nausea be eating a bagel. When that didn’t work, he tried to make himself sick, and then fainted.

He said doctors believed passing out could have been his body’s response to pain.

Another try at setting the record is likely after some recuperation, Tighe said. In the meantime, he was taking in the lesson he felt Attleboro High School students learned this weekend.

“Sometimes we don’t always meet the goal we start out with, and that’s OK. We (then) need to work out another alternative to meet those goals. This is a great (learning) opportunity for myself and the kids,” he said.

The Network’s message of “GO THE DISTANCE” designed to inspire students that with a plan and desire, any goal can be reached, was part of Tighe’s inspiration to try for the record.

Tighe’s faith and determination, students said is motivating for everyone else.

“He’s done a lot for us. It just inspires me. It really does,” Burt said.

 For updates go to www.friendsofahstrack.netfirms.com and click on GO THE DISTANCE.